I've been keeping my notes here, but I just downloaded a copy of Peat Freak's Notes from www.peatfreak.com, so I'll get in the habit of uploading my notes to the page and linking to it here.  So far, I've only added four or five notes to the database, and I don't think it looks as nice as this page, but it's a LOT easier to work with.  To see what's online so far, scroll to the bottom of the page.

Well, speaking of adventure, I was reading a book on Single Malts, and was surprised to find a section on Japanese malt whiskies, so I thought I'd try one.  Seeing as how Japanese single malt is an entirely new experience for me, I thought this would be a good place to start a page of tasting notes.  In addition to sharing my thoughts on the various whiskies available, it gives me a good excuse to tip a few sipples sip a few tipples now and again!!

Suntory Yamazaki 12 year old single malt  I just picked up a bottle of this interesting concoction this weekend.  I had to try a sip tonight, and I have to say I was fairly impressed!  It was a sweeter, lighter whisky with a floral nose and a hint of vanilla.  Not much burn, and a light citrus finish.  This would be a good dram to relax with after dinner.  I think my next Japanese whisky will be Hibiki, either 17 or 30 year old (probably the 17 to aid the wallet!) - this whisky won top honors in a blind test in the International Spirit Challenge in 2004.

Glen Moray 12 year old  Thought I'd expand to Speyside for a change!  After the Yamazaki, this one seemed to be a little heartier, but not by much.  Spicy nose, with tastes of either caramel or toffee and no real burn.  A splash of water opened up the nose a little, revealing what seemed to me to be a hint of tangerine.  Sweetned up the taste a little, I lost the toffee in there somewhere (or maybe my taste buds are just getting a little numb.)

Talisker 10 year old  Well, just picked up a bottle of Talisker 10 today. As near as I can tell, this is the only single malt distilled on the Isle of Skye on the western coast. In this ten-year-old, the color is a darker amber than some of my recent whiskies. It had a slightly 'oaky' nose, and I think I could get a whiff of the sea as well (although that could be the power of suggestion, who knows?) This was a slightly smoky dram with a long sweet finish. I feel that the Talisker needs a splash of water to smooth it out; I tasted a very slight astringency which disappeared completely with just a few drops of water. Noticeable peat but not overpowering. Interesting!

Springbank 10 year old   Based on some reviews I've read in some books and online, I thought I'd give this bottle a try.  Springbank is one of only two distilleries left operating in the Campbeltown area.  It is also one of only two distilleries left in Scotland that runs the entire production locally, from malting the barley all the way through to bottling.  The other, Kilchoman, also grow their own barley - Springbank buys theirs from a third party supplier, but they perform all the malting, distilling, aging, and bottling on-site.  But enough of the history lesson - how does this malt taste??  The color of the Springbank is a medium gold, tending toward the lighter end of the scale.  The nose is light, gently spiced with honeyed overtones.  The taste, however, is completely different than what the nose leads you to expect.  Although Campbeltown is south and east of Islay, a lot of the flavor of the sea comes through.  There's a slight briny overtone that feels like sea breeze on your lips.  There's just the faintest hint of peat, and a touch of pepper adds to the excitement.  The finish is long and sweet.

Glenkinchie 8 year old//Glenmorangie 10 year old//The Balvenie Doublewood 12year old  Was out with some friends at 15C Club, our local martini/cigar bar last night, and had the opportunity to sample some of their single malts.  Unfortunately, some of them that I wanted to try were out of stock (my luck!) so I had to try some others that I otherwise might not have ordered.  My thoughts here are somewhat generalized, as I didn't really have the time to sit and savor any of these.  The first was an 8 year old Glenkinchie.  I found this one to be a fairly typical lowland malt, of a lighter and sweeter character.  I was not overly impressed by this one, as being out with the boys for cigars and whiskey, I was looking for something with a bit of meat behind it.  This wasn't it.  This would be a good dram to relax with in the early evening, but don't expect too much excitement from it.  I also tried a 10 year old Glenmorangie.  I'd had the sherry finish before, but never the plain oak matured malt.  I liked this one better; it was more flavorful and had a smoother finish.  Not overly complex, but enjoyable.  My favorite of the night, however, was The Balvenie Doublewood 12 year old.  As luck would have it, I got the last sip out of their last bottle - I didn't get much, but what I got, I liked!!  This malt was somewhat sweet, and the sherry overtones were pretty pronounced but not overpowering.  It had a smooth, mellow finish.  I liked this one so much that we went out and bought a bottle of it this morning.  I'll post some more detailed notes as time allows.

Glenfarclas 105 Cask Strength  Just added my first bottle of cask strength to the shelves.  This one was bottled at 60% ABV, so it's got about a 40-50% greater 'bite' than ordinary single malts.  This is VERY apparent in the first nosing; if you get your schnozz too far in the glass, you get a big hit of alcohol that tends to overwhelm you.  If you can get past the alcohol, you can pick out notes of honey and just a hint of, what, maybe cinnamon?  Nutmeg?  Can't quite tell on the nose, but man, does this thing have legs!!  Any more and it'd get right up and walk off of the desk.  Taste?  Oh, yeah.  First sip was honeyed, slightly spicy, mildly sherried, and just a touch of chocolate toward the end.  Mouthfeel is smooth and creamy, real soft.  The finish, as you might expect from a CS malt, is pretty hot.  Has a good burn, but not oppressive.  Might eventually try it with a splash of filtered water to see if it opens up any, but not tonight.

Aberlour a'bunadh (Batch No 21, 59.5% ABV)  Picked up a bottle of this today (April 1st - no joke!) and poured a short dram to check it out.  The first thing you notice is the color - deep amber, almost reddish.  Even dark for a CS in my book.  Great legs, as expected at 59.5% ABV.  Nose is sweet, maybe a touch of apple, and some sherry.  Not as harsh on the nose as the Glenfarclas CS.  Palate is tart, fruity.  The apple in the nose is replaced with orange on the palate, along with a nice malty hit.  Finish is fairly long, almost minty.  Slight burn; will hit it with a splash of filtered water. . .of course, water cuts down the legs, but it also smooths out the nose.  Can still smell apple, but is subdued now.  I don't notice any real change in the palate; still orange with maybe a touch more spice (not cinnamon - coriander, maybe?)  Overal, a very pleasant dram.  Won't satisfy the Islay crowd, though!

UPDATE:  The Riedel Single Malt Tasting glasses have arrived.  I got a set of four Vinum, and one handblown Sommeliers series for me.  These glasses get some disses online, but so far I really like them. 

Sorry if it sounds like I'm getting too carried away with the tastings; it's just that between running the kids all over town and taking care of whatever needs taken care of, it's a huge accomplishment if I find time to sip a dram every now and then.  So of course I'm going to savor every little minute!!  The next step is to sit down with Annemarie and open up her wine tasting kit from Wine Enthusiast.  This little beastie has small vials and samples of aromas (berries, leather, oak, etc.) that help you discern these subtle aromas in wine.  I figure it'll help me just as much with the single malts!!  In the meantime, I'll just keep stealing minutes here and there to sample other drams from the small, but growing, collection!!

Here are my tasting notes imported from PeatFreak's Notes:

List created by the free PeatFreak's Notes program.

Distillery: Glen Moray Score: 8.0 Perc: 43
Expression: 12yr OB Date: Occasion:
Bought at: Cheers Liquor Mart Price: $35 Color: 30
Nose: Spicy nose, with tastes of either caramel or toffee and no real burn. A little water brings out a touch of tangerine.
Palate: Light and sweet, will need to expand on this next time I have some.
Finish: <Need new notes>
Mouthfeel:
Comments: I need to try this one again and expand my notes

Distillery: The Macallan Score: -- Perc: 43
Expression: 30yr Sherry Oak OB Date: 4/11/08 Occasion: My 47th birthday
Bought at: Soverignty Wine and Liquor Price: $700 Color: 90
Nose:
Palate:
Finish:
Mouthfeel:
Comments: Not opened yet

Distillery: Springbank Score: 8.3 Perc: 43
Expression: 10yr OB Date: 2/08 Occasion: Just felt like it.
Bought at: Colorado Liquor Outlet Price: 63 Color: 20
Nose: Light, gently spiced with honeyed overtones
Palate: slight briny overtone that feels like sea breeze on your lips. There's just the faintest hint of peat, and a touch of pepper adds to the excitement
Finish: Long and Sweet
Mouthfeel:
Comments: Based on some reviews I've read in some books and online, I thought I'd give this bottle a try. Springbank is one of only two distilleries left operating in the Campbeltown area. It is also one of only two distilleries left in Scotland that runs the entire production locally, from malting the barley all the way through to bottling. The other, Kilchoman, also grow their own barley - Springbank buys theirs from a third party supplier, but they perform all the malting, distilling, aging, and bottling on-site. But enough of the history lesson - how does this malt taste?? The color of the Springbank is a medium gold, tending toward the lighter end of the scale. The nose is light, gently spiced with honeyed overtones. The taste, however, is completely different than what the nose leads you to expect. Although Campbeltown is south and east of Islay, a lot of the flavor of the sea comes through. I like this malt.

Distillery: Ardbeg Score: 8.4 Perc: 46
Expression: Ten (OB) Date: 4/15/08 Occasion: Paying freakin' taxes. . .
Bought at: Cheers Price: 55 Color: 10
Nose: Peaty, hint of pine tar, lighter than I expected - rather dry. Just the slightest hint of sulpher?
Palate: Smoky sweet; initial sweetness gives way to some maltiness I don't often find in other Islays, Something else in there, too - maybe pencil shavings??
Finish: Long and briny. Slight 'tang' but nicely balanced.
Mouthfeel: Full, somewhat oily
Comments: Very nice dram. Easier to get used to that some of the other Islays. Still has the island character, but a nice light expression. I think I'll have another!