Whisky Discovery #3

Glenkinchie 12 Year Old (43% abv, OB Bottled +/- 2010 20cl)

Lowland Single Malt Whisky

Circa £9 at my local supermarket

Just a 20cl sampler

The second of the  two small bottles picked up to sample alongside my Laphroaig.

The nose is quite light, yet fragrant. Notes of fresh cereal, some barley sweetness and a nuttiness. Honey creeps in with gentle warmth. The palate is very fruity with notes of Madeira and sweet stewed fruits. A hint of calvados and tannic oak lining the mouth. There is a freshness and roundness to this dram. The finish is of medium length with notes of cereal.

Whisky Discovery #2

Dalwhinnie 15 Year Old (43% abv, OB, Bottled +/- 2010 20cl)

Highland Single Malt Whisky

Circa £9 at my local supermarket

Just a sampler at 20cl

Deciding that I needed something to compare alongside my first bottle of single malt I bought two 20cl bottles.

The flavours are simple, but flawless.

The nose is quite aromatic, toffee, fruit salad, lush nectarine, custard. Floral, apple blossom, honeysuckle. Apple peels, pear, touch of smoke. A malty palate, with walnut, honey and vanilla. Gentle smoke through the cereal with a touch of spice. The finish is long, malty, walnut, almond.

Whisky Discovery #1

Laphroaig 10 Year Old (40% abv, OB, Bottled +/- 2010 70cl)

Islay Single Malt Whisky

Circa £25 and available at all of my local supermarkets

The first bottle purchased

The first purchase of my journey.  Not knowing where to start I stood looking at the store shelves determined to come away with something. It had to be a single malt, but I only really recognised The Glenfiddich 12 Year Old . Knowing this was usually available everywhere I wanted to try something a little different and eventually picked up a Laphroaig 10 Year Old. I think I had vague recollections of seeing the Laphroiag tube in my father’s drinks cabinet many years ago.

I knew it was an Islay single malt, and I had recently enjoyed another Islay malt, the Caol Ila that set me off on this journey

With anticipation I opened it as soon as I got home and was immediately welcomed by the Islay nose I was expecting.