Category: *.BAK

That’s an independent bottling from Masters of Malt, that was heavily discounted. I’d say even without a discount, it’s quite solid. A bit sharp, but then it’s 10 years old, and definitely heavily sherried. Also at high ABV, 54%. I never tried Edradour 10, but based on Edradour 12 Cask Strength, that’s what I’d imagine it tasting.

I wrote to the shop I got the wrong calendar from. At first they tried to gaslit me, saying that the only difference is the calendar sleeve, but I told them that I checked the contents on the site, and they aren’t the same. Then they offered 5% discount if I keep it, which is laughable. By that time I also received the correct calendar, and the funny thing is, it is also significantly larger. I don’t know why yet, as the contents are the same, 24x30ml bottles. But it is also 300g heavier. Either more cardboard or different bottle design.
At least I managed to get a refund for the blue calendar. And now I’ll probably will “sit” on the red calendar for another year, knowing myself.

9th bottle from the Advent Calendar.
It’s a surprise on so many levels. It doesn’t taste of rye much, and it doesn’t have the medicinal taste I often associate with oak. It is sweet, and unbelievable smooth for 56% ABV. Not to be confused with regular Ragtime Rye, which is “only” 45%. Has a long warm aftertaste. At 48GBP it’s incredible value.

8th whiskey from Advent Calendar, this one from Wales.
Until now there were some whiskies that were good for their price. This is simply good. It is strong, 60%, but it has everything you’d expect: numbing the mouth, some warmth, a lot of sweetness and muscat notes. Hits with a bang. I was surprised that it’s only 8 years old. At 90GBP it’s not a steal, just the right price.

After buying whiskey advent calendars for a couple of years, I came to a simple conclusion that I’m not excited about Scotch whiskies anymore. I like them the most, but I’m not interested in trying more, because I had most of them, either as a bottle, or as a taster, or a better version of:

And this year I’m going through the World Whiskey calendar, which doesn’t change that much either.
What else is there? There’s Japanese whiskey. Those whiskies are more expensive, and so are the calendars. I always purchased the calendars after a discount, paying around 100GBP, but discounted Japanese whiskey calendars are 160GBP discounted.
And since I was dragging my feet into February, they actually stopped being discounted, and started selling for 250GBP again.
Luckily some shops are still selling them at the old price. Or so I thought.

7th bottle from the Advent Calendar.

I hate when whiskey producers come up with those witty names. How am I supposed to search for whisky called “the one”?
In any case, whiskey is not just about taste, but also about price. This is a blended whiskey, but at least it’s 46% ABV, and it costs just 35GBP, which is quite impressive for what it delivers.

4th taster is from Finland. I’ve had rye whiskey before in New York, and it tastes quite similar, like a rye toasted bread. Not my favourite taste. At 47 ABV it leaves plenty of pleasant warmth, though.