.north british - 27yo - 1988 - the grainman

We seem to have received a not yet released sample of the new line from Meadowside Blending. Besides their blended whiskies and their exclusive single malts via the Maltman, they have now released a series of single grains.

50.1% abv, €100
single grain, non-chill filtered, natural colour

Nose: sweet, caramelized brown sugar, ryebread, citrus, lemon zest, sweet tangerines

Palate: sweet, cereals, ryebread, spicy, white pepper, cloves, a hint of cinnamon

Finish: long, sweet, rye bread, citrus, lemon zest, a hint of wood, liquorice, a touch of bitter
Mark: +++++ 

Conclusion: Very nice, the touch of bitter is a bit of an off-note to me, though.

More info: Distilled in October 1988, finished in an ex-Pedro Ximénez Sherry cask #8 for eight months and bottled in March 2016 into 282 bottles.

.port dundas - 1991 - 24yo - the grainman

55.1% abv, €100

single grain, non-chill filtered, natural colour

Nose: glue-ey for quite some time, then sweet, citrus, sweet blood oranges, dried fruits, fat raisins, cranberries, figs, dates, sweet, thick syrup, tobacco leaves, milk chocolate

Palate: sweet, spicy, hot jalapeños, dried fruit, figs, dates, banana chips, citrus, lemon skin, lime juice, milk chocolate

Finish: long, sweet, creamy honey, nuts, hazelnuts, milk chocolate, Nutella basically, a hint of tobacco
Mark: ++++/+

Conclusion: Well, that's nice... If I would have been a little earlier with making my note, I might have had a time to go find and purchase a bottle. My bad, looking forward to other expressions of the Grainman though, there is more where this came from...

More info: distilled in March 1991 finished for four months in an ex-Oloroso Sherry cask #7, bottled into 282 bottles in January 2016.

.loch lomond - single grain scotch whisky

Scotch Single Malt, as per definition from the SWA, should be distilled in one or more batches at a single distillery, from malted barley and in pot stills. From those same definitions we can derive that any grain distillate not following these rules to the full 100%, is to be called a single grain. Therefore, although this whisky has been made with the same specifications as the Inchmurrin and Loch Lomond single malt distillates, she has to be called "Single Grain", merely because she has been distilled in a continuous Coffey still.
A very interesting statement, but first things first; what does she taste like?

46% abv, €not for sale yet
single grain - or is she?

Nose: sweet, fruit, banana, citrus, navel oranges, meringue
Palate: sweet, honey, treacle, hints of vanilla, citrus, sweet navel oranges, meringue

Finish: sweet, honey, toffee, haagse hopjes, mocha
Mark: +++++ 

Conclusion: Not bad, really. When I learned (at the Maltstock campfire tasting) that this was a 4-4.5 years old distillate, I was quite surprised. She has matured this short period in American Oak casks, and these must either have been very active (first fill) ex-Bourbon casks or the method of distillation has had a larger impact as anyone would have thought. I, for one, would like to re-investigate the full bottle, if the price is right...

More info: So. Knowing from our trip to the distillery that they have a Coffey still distilling the same malted barley, from the same mashtuns, following the same recipes as they would use for their pot still and Inchmurrin stills (basically a pot still with a small three-plated column as a neck - if anyone can explain to me what the difference is with a Lomond still, please do so). Following the rules to the letter, this distillate is not a single malt, but a single grain, made from only malted barley, distilled in a small-ish column still, instead of a pot-still, and to a higher abv as most pot still distillates. Rules are silly sometimes, but not following them, bending the rules, or just interpreting them differently and finding a loop-hole, can definitely come to great results.

There is no need (yet) for a new category, the Loch Lomond distillery is (so far) the only Scottish distillery using this equipment in this way, and there is, in my opinion no reason for alarm. As one of the few distilleries, Loch Lomond is also able to make an (also non-existing) Single Blend category, which they might do in the future, if they are keeping up this pace. Perhaps, from the vast amount of different spirit styles they can produce at the distillery, they may already be doing so, but are not telling us, just not to make things more complex. Makes you wonder.

.the sample was shipped to us by the Loch Lomond distillery, to participate in a "flash blog" tasting on the 7th September 2016. The sample arrived on the 6th and I was quite busy at the time, so I was rather late with my note (sorry for that), but it also gave me the time to further investigate.

.loch lomond - single grain

From the puzzle of the Loch Lomond distillery in Alexandria, Scotland, a single grain. We are unsure if this is a grain from the big grain distillery, or if it is a product from the malt mash fed Coffey still in the malt distillery and cannot be called 'single malt' because of - rules.

46% abv, €30
single grain

Nose: sweet fresh fruit, Granny Smith apples, berries, gooseberries, a hint of vanilla, floral, almost soapy at some point, parma violets

Palate: sweet, icing sugar, fruity, juicy pears, sweet apples, pear drops, creamy 

Finish: sweet, rosewater, medium long, floral, roses
Mark: +++/++ 

Conclusion: Honestly, not what I expected from a (undoubtedly young) single grain. Rather sweet and fruity instead of harsh and rough. A good price too.

.north british - 23yo - smws g1.12 - mouth-puckering sweetness

We joined in a "whisky for a year" bottle share back in 2014, where we received an smws bottle(share) each month. Good times, I only never got around to taste them until now. A shame really...

.invergordon - 50yo

Day 24 of the Drinks by the Dram WhiskyAdvent calendar 2015. The Guys and Dolls at the office must have thought to go out with a bang, and they have found something that fits this description perfectly...

.girvan - patent still proof strength

Well, this is awkward. I have only got a clue what the dram behind door number 18 of the Drinks by the Dram calendar 2015 can be (a single grain, probably a Girvan), but without the label it is rather tough to say exactly what is in my glass.

.balcones - true blue - 100 proof

A 100% from blue corn distilled whisky from Texas.

.strathclyde - 27yo - old particular

Strathclyde. A whisky many have never heard of, but most will probably have had some blended in a whisky of the Pernod Ricard range. Now, Douglas Laing have released a range of single grain bottlings, that include one of this distillery, which produces about 40 million litres of spirit per year - most of which disappears in said blended whiskies.

.cameronbridge - 25 yo - old particular - douglas laing

With the recent up-rise of single grain whiskies, Douglas Laing added some fine specimens to their Old Particular range. It appears to be my very first Cameron Bridge I have ever made a note of...

.north british 21yo - old particular #10797

50.9% abv, €100, single grain, non-chill filtered, natural colour

Nose: sweet, powdered sugar, fruit, pears, lichee

Palate: spicy, herbal, cinnamon, cloves, fruit, lichee, green herbs, marjoram

Finish: a hint of bitter orange zest, sweet, fruity, pears, lichee, medium long
Mark: ++/+++ 

Conclusion: I think I never tasted lichee as a note before, but now that I have found it, it is probably hard to get of for future grains. Fun.

Whisky wise, this is not exactly my cup-of-whisky; she lacks an "oumpfh" a grain can have. I think she could have profited of a longer maturation time.

Only 294 bottles have been filled from this refill hogshead.

Many thanks to Douglas Laing for supplying us with this sample

.port dundas - 35yo - douglas laing - director's cur #9729

59.2% abv, €300, single grain, non-chill filtered, natural colour

Nose: hot, sweet, chocolate, coconut, toffee, rye

Palate: sweet, toffee, HOT, roses, chocolate

Finish: rather short, hot, sweet
Mark: +++++

Conclusion: yumm...

Quick note made at Jan Beckers' Douglas Laing masterclass at Whisky Live Holland in the Hague, 15 November 2014

.north british - 52yo - douglas laing - director's cut #10356

41.1% abv, €480, single grain, non-chill filtered, natural colour

Nose: sweet, fruity, dried fruit

Palate: sweet, liquorice, a hint of wood, pencil shavings

Finish: long, dry, sweet, fruity, chocolate
Mark: ++++/+

Conclusion: how nice is this..? I really wish I would have the budget to get my hands on this.

Quick note made at Jan Beckers' Douglas Laing masterclass at Whisky Live Holland in the Hague, 15 November 2014

.bain's

"A pioneer in its own right, Bain's Cape Mountain Whisky is South Africa's first Single Grain whisky. Named after the pioneering pass builder, Andrew Geddes Bain, Bain's Cape Mountain Whisky is crafted at the foot of his awe-inspiring Bainskloof Pass."

.millstone - 100 rye - 8yo

50% abv, €45, single malt, non-chill filtered, natural colour

Nose: sawdust, sweet, paint, spices, nutmeg, cinnamon, menthol, eucalyptus, citrus, oranges, musty, mushrooms, floral, clovers
Palate: sweet, clover honey, spicy, jalapeños, cinnamon, cloves, sage, laurel, floral, clover, heather
Finish: dry, spicy, nutmeg, cloves, sage
Mark: +++++

.teeling - single grain

46% abv, €40, single grain, non-chill filtered, natural colour

Nose: sweet, vanilla, marzipan, spicy, hard green herbs, wet grain, hay, nuts, almonds, creamy, butter, brambles, milk-chocolate with soft caramel, (Rollo™), vanilla scented candles, more grain
Palate: sweet, vanilla, white chocolate, strong, sharp, spicy, dry grass, fruit, berries, citrus, pomelo, grapefruit, blood oranges
Finish: medium long, smooth, gentle, spicy, almond, speculaas biscuits, ginger
Mark: +++/++

Conclusion: Very likeable. Sweet and gentle like most single grains, but because of the ex-wine cask maturation, this has received extra layers of spice and fruit notes that makes it rather unusual but enjoyable. The only other Irish single grain whiskey is Greenore which is very different beast as it has undergone a full maturation in ex-Bourbon barrels.

More info: This particular single grain is double distilled from maize and has fully matured in ex-Californian Cabernet Sauvignon wine barrels.

All Teeling whiskies are bottled at at least 46%, non-chill filtered and there is never any colorant added, because "we just think it makes a better whiskey" ...gotta love 'em for that.

Jack Teeling, founder of the Teeling Whiskey Co., comes from a family long associated with Irish whiskey from Walter Teeling in 1782 who setup a distillery on Marrowbone Lane in Dublin to John Teeling who founded Cooley in 1987. Jack continues on the Teeling’s entrepreneurial spirit and while initially starting out as an Independent bottler and aims to get back into the distilling game to ensure a constant supply of Irish whiskey.

First whisky in the #TeelingWhiskey twitter tasting, once again organised by @theWhiskyWire.

.zuidam - rye - milroys single cask

46% abv, €50, rye, non-chill filtered, natural colour, single cask

Nose: fresh sawdust, fresh latex paint, herbs, cloves, nutmeg, beeswax, cinnamon sticks, Chinese herbs, citrus, grapefruit,  mint
Palate: sweet, clover-honey, rye, caramel, spices, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, ryebread
Finish: sweet, honey, warming, medium long, lovely
Mark: ++++/+

Conclusion: whooo! I like it. Go buy a bottle..!

More info: tasted during the #MilroysTT2 twitter tasting that was organised by @TheWhiskyWire. My first guess when opening the bottle was; Zuidam. When sipping the first drop, I immediately thought of a rye. My first ever spot-on guess..! My winner of the evening.

Distilled on 30/11/2007, matured in virgin american oak cask #449, bottled on 15/03/2013 into 217 bottles

.secale - domaine des hautes glaces - new organic spirit

.picture by
Franck Debernardi

56% abv, €50, single malt, non-chill filtered, natural colour

Nose: rough, sweet, vanilla, smoke (very light), herbal, mint, menthol, anise, citrus peel, marmalade, rubber bands, balsamic vinegar, yoghurt
Palate: sour grapes, sweet, vanilla, herbal, anise, fresh, smoke, DRY, liquorish
Finish: floral, herbal, sweet, dry, tannins, citrus peel, marmalade, smoke, pencil shavings without the core, wood chips
Mark: ++/+++

Conclusion: not my cup of tea, but not bad either. It is not really there yet, and I am still a bit divided what side it will turn to. This is what I expected from Amrut when I first tasted that.

More info: Fourth whisky in the #FrenchWhiskyTT French Whisky Twitter Tasting organised by Franck Debernardi. This has matured for only 18 months in ex-Condrieu casks.

.balcones - brimstone

53% abv, €75, single malt, non-chill filtered, natural color, caramel E150a added

Nose: leather, wet raincoat, burnt matches, smoke, rubber, smoked fish with the skin still on, gym, bicycle inner tube, a just put up new tent, bacon, ham, sweet, fresh green wood
Palate: bacon, spicy, sweet, slight rubber, burnt matches, honey, mackerel, rice crisps, seaweed, sweet, honey, floral
Finish: rubber, matches, slight bitter, bicycle inner tubes, rather present and long, seaweed, green tea, tannins, dry
Mark: ++/+++

Conclusion: unique smell, taste and finish, you either love it or loathe it. Or something in between. Like me. Did not like the finish though. It gets the score for its unique-ness, rather then for its smell or taste. I have heard mention that the rubbery predominance disappears when the bottle slowly gets its lower lever, so you get a better taste of the whisky itself. Not bad, but not a favourite either.

More info from the website: Purification through fire — a Texas oak fire, that is. Rather than using Scottish peat smoke, this one-of-a-kind whisky is smoked with sun-baked Texas scrub oak using our own secret process. The result is a whisky full of fresh youthful corn and light fruit notes married with a bold smokiness. Whether you like smokey whiskies, or just have a penchant for big, new flavors, Brimstone is sure to be memorable pour. Aromas of masa, Texas campfire and powdered sugar tempered with an almost salty goodness. Bold yet balanced, Brimstone is yet another Texas first from Balcones. We hope you enjoy. Brimstone is the world's first wood smoked whisky ... a Texas campfire in a bottle.

.balcones - true blue 100

50% abv, €75, single malt, non-chill filtered, natural color, caramel E150a added

Nose: sweet, smell like a warm blanket, caramel, toffee, apricots, nutmeg, pancakes, maple (corn?) syrup, sherry, fruit, raisins, christmas cake
Palate: a bit harsh, corn, spicy, white pepper, oranges zests, vanilla, banana
Finish: banana, sweet, vanilla, white pepper, long, iron, tannin, tea, walnuts, liquorice and star anise
Mark: +++++

Conclusion: rather sweet overall, does well with blues and Jimi Hendrix' Red House.

More info from the website: True Blue 100 - 50% abv (100 proof), 100% blue corn is a unique corn whisky made from roasted Atole, a Hopi blue corn meal. We use this rich and nutty corn to produce a whisky that we hope will bring something new to the corn whisky tradition. At cask strength, True Blue is the way Balcones distillers have always enjoyed our roasted Hopi blue corn whisky. Now there‘s finally enough to share. Feel free to add water if you want ... we like our water separate.