18-YEAR OLD SINGLE MALT TASTING

This month’s theme: 18-year-old single malts, all from a different region. AKA The Barely Legal Tasting.  Included were expressions from each of the 5 regions of Scotland plus the Scottish Isles, as well as a representative from Ireland and from Japan.

* FLIGHT ONE *

Expression 1
 Tullamore DEW 18 

Region: Irish 
 

Background: Expression launched in 2016. Limited to 2500 bottles. Juice most likely from Midleton Distillery. The 'Tullamore' Brand sold in 2014 and a new distillery is being built in the city of Tullamore.  So, soon, Tullamore will once again be sourced from its Irish town namesake - for the first time since the 1950s. 
 

Stats: Aged in Bourbon Casks and finished in Oloroso Sherry Butts, Port Pipes and Madeira Drum casks for at least 6 months.  ABV = 41.3%. Bottled 2016. 
 

Tasting Notes: I had low expectations and was pleasantly surprised by the subtle range of fruit and spicy flavors.  Some in the tasting group shared my opinion, while others found this offering to be pleasant, but pretty uneventful, typical Irish. 
 

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	NO

Expression 2
 Auchentoshan 18 

Region: Lowland 
 

Background: Launched in 2008. 
 

Stats: Aged in Bourbon Barrels. ABV = 43%. Bottled 2016.
 

Tasting Notes: Going from a triple distilled Irish Whisky to a triple distilled Scotch Whisky was a smooth transition. Literally. Bolder bourbon notes from the Auchentoshan, but still fairly unexciting. Easy drinking.
 

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	NO	NO

Expression 3
 Aberlour 18  

Region: Speyside (Even though the labels indicate Highland) 
 

Background: There are a few Speysiders that continue to claim to be Highlanders (Macallan and Glenfarclas also come to mind).  The Speyside region was carved out of the Highland region a while back, but according to The Whisky Exchange, it wasn’t until 2009 that the boundaries were official, so you’ll forgive those that haven’t gotten around to updating their packaging. 
 

Stats: Aged in Oloroso Sherry Butts and American Oak Barrels. ABV = 43%. Bottled 2016. 
 

Tasting Notes: mouthfeel and flavors felt thinner than I remember. My tastes have obviously evolved and I need a higher ABV. Definitely felt a bit watered down. But two years ago, I loved this expression for its taste and its value – an 18-year old for under $100! 
 

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

Expression 4
 Glendronach 18 Allardice 

Region: Highland 
 

My overall favorite from both flights

Background: Named after distillery founder, James Allardice. This particular iteration of the 18-Year Old appears to have been launched in 2009. 
 

Stats: Aged in Oloroso Sherry Casks. ABV = 46%. Bottled 2016. 
 

Tasting Notes: Move over, Mac18. Glendronach has some fantastic single cask sherry releases over the past several years, as well as excellent Cask Strength Batches. But their core range of daily drinkers is so much better than current Macallan offerings. This beautiful whisky has a slightly higher ABV compared to Mac18, plus it's Non-Chill Filtered, and just tastes so much more soft, subtle, and organic.  Well, Macallan used to taste like this, but that was 10+ years ago... 
 

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

* FLIGHT TWO *

Expression 1
 Hakushu 18 

Region: Japan 
 

Background: Expression launched in 2006. 
 
 

Stats: ABV = 43%. Bottled 2017 
 

Tasting Notes: One of my favorite whiskies ever is Hakushu 25, plus, I love the Haku12 as a daily drinker. But, I’ve never warmed up to the Hakushu 18 – just doesn’t fit my flavor profile. Very complex nose – taste seems to have a nice range, it’s just not connecting with my taste buds. I’ve tried it multiple times over the years, and I’ll probably keep trying because it seems crazy that it doesn’t appeal to me. 
 

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	NO

Expression 2
 Talisker 18 

Region: Scottish Islands 
 

Background: Produced on the Isle of Skye. After being unavailable in the US for a few years, this classic is back. 
 

Stats: ABV = 45.8 %. Bottled 2017
 

Tasting Notes: Briny, salty and sweet. Well balanced. Just as advertised.
 

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

Expression 3
 Springbank 18  

Region: Campbeltown 
 

Background: This iteration appears to have been launched in 2009. 
 

Stats: Aged in Bourbon Casks (20%) and Sherry Casks (80%). ABV = 46%. Bottled 2013.
 

Tasting Notes: Well balanced - the higher sherry ratio compared to other Springbanks delivers the syrupy notes you'd anticipate. But the finish dropped off quickly. Nice dram, but I would spend my money on other Springers.  I'm a huge fan of the 15-year - for me, that one has the perfect balance in their core range.
 

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	NO

Expression 4
 Laphroaig 18 

Region: Islay 
 

Background: Introduced in 2009, replacing the discontinued 15 Year. Last bottled in 2014, but may resume in ???? 
 

Stats: ABV = 48%. Bottled 2014.
 

Tasting Notes: You know that bactine tire fire that is the Laphroaig 10? This isn't that. The extra 8 years of aging have mellowed the extreme peat of the 10 into well balanced honey and smoke. Peated Islay Whisky is not something that I'm naturally drawn to, but I have learned to appreciate a few that are well-crafted and have a range of flavors. This is one of those. 
 

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

[Tasting conducted with the Sneaky Trips Tasting Group which consists of Whisk(e)y Enthusiasts ranging from Beginner to Advanced.  Tastings are held monthly and are usually 8 Expressions based on a particular theme.]