Whisky tasting with OEC

Whisky

As a friend of single malt whiskies I’m always happy to participate at tastings. This time I got an invitation by Darrell, the organiser of the Oldenburg English Club. And on last Thursday Sandra and Ulli of Malts4you conducted it in the Appeltje, a small and pretty café in the inner city of Oldenburg. They’ve been very friendly and offered some good finger food.

In the beginning Ulli gave a little introduction into the procedure with the list of whiskies and the tasting cards where the tasted malts—or better there price—is noted. Afterwards he gave an overview over the different whiskies both offered. It has been a nice and special collection of Scottish and other malts, many of them special bottlings. Based on the descriptions and tips of other guests everybody then had the chance to choose. My malts had been

Oban “The Night’s Watch”

  • Nose: Fruity with aromas of orange peel and cherries
  • Taste: Oak, caramel, some salt and spice
  • Finish: Caramel and some spice, not too long

Bladnoch Adela 15 yo

  • Nose: Sweet and juicy, also some nuts and coffee
  • Taste: Chocolate, dried fruit, Peper and sherry
  • Finish: Sweet and warm

Knockando 21 yo

  • Nose: Sweet, malt and chocolate, some ginger, salt
  • Taste: Strong with cherry and vanilla, little notes of caramel
  • Finish: Warm, long, some spice and honey

Bruichladdich 13 yo Cask Strength 63.7%

  • Nose: Hefty and dirty nose, like silty sand from the coast, also sherry and dark chocolate, some candy; with water also gooseberry
  • Taste: An explosion on the tip of the tongue, sandpaper on the back of the tongue, vinegar, like warm bitumen long sticking; with water less explosive
  • Finish: Long and strong, much later again rebelling

Tobermory 2008/2018 9 yo 65,3%

  • Nose: Pure alcohol, wonderful ripe fruits like plums and dates; with water some bitumen
  • Taste: Very spicy, much salt on the tip on the tongue while a dry Lindt 99% chocolate on the back of the tongue; with water more hazelnut and lighter milk chocolate
  • Finish: Wonderful long, warm, and spicy

Especially the Knockando, the Bruichladdich, and the Tobermory had been really good. But for the Bruichladdich you need the right mood, it’s quite hefty. My choice of the evening so has been the Tobermory as a wonderful cask strength, even if it is only just 9 years old. The next day I ordered one at Sandra and Ulli. Slàinte!