From Bottelier Zonneveld "Around Scotland"
Lowland, Auchentoshan 12 years, 40% abv.
Taste is smooth and sweet with hints of tangerine and lime. To finish, it is a gingery and slightly drying with a pleasant lingering nuttiness. Founded in 1825 and the distillery closest to Glasgow. Distillery founded 1825.
Isle of Arran, Arran 12 years, 46% abv.
Taste: Oaky and rich with a distinct hazelnut character emerging. There is a hint of bitter fruit, like cooking apples, to balance the sweet caramel and malty notes and prolong the complexity. Distillery founded in 1993.
Islay, Ardbeg 10 years, 46% abv.
Taste: An initial moderate and clean sweetness is rapidly followed by a mouthful of deep peat notes, with tobacco smoke and strong espresso coffee, which then gives way to treacle sweetness and liquorice. The mouthfeel is firstly lightly spiced (astringent), then chewing, mouthwatering, full and finally dry. Distillery founded in 1815.
Speyside, Glendronach 15 years, 46% abv.
Taste: big, rich, nervous and wonderfully sherried, immediately remind us of some older Macallan 18s (Gran Reservas). Coffee, chocolate, prunes, dates, beef jerky, dried bananas, figs, orange liqueurs… And a very nice rancio in the background. As for spices, we have cloves, cinnamon and just a little star anise. Distillery founded 1826.
Macallan 12 years
Very, very, very good! One word to sum up the Macallan 12 is smoooooooth! I would say that this is a sophisticated scotch for a 12 y.o. Many different flavours combine without one overpowering another. Can be easily sipped neat or with a splash of water is delicious. The 18 is a true classic, but for the money the 12 y.o. is a must. This would be a great place to start for a novice scotch drinker.
Isle of Skye, Talisker 10 years, 45.8% abv.
Taste: A rich dried-fruit sweetness with clouds of smoke and strong barley-malt flavours, warming and intense. At the back of the mouth is an explosion of pepper. Distillery founded 1830.
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