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Black Grouse Blend 43% (Glenturret) Initially grain is evident and then a wave of smoke breaks upon a shore of sherry, vanilla and a hint of bourbon. Surprised and excited by the silky smooth mouthfeel the sweet fruits introduce the charry peat that linger long after the finish. A dash of water has an astonishing affect. Bowmore is there, smoked sherry then bacon as Lagavulin starts to appear. This development turns an interesting blend into an awesome one, then chewy toffee....a blending masterpiece. 90
Black Bottle Original Blend 43% (Bunnahabhain) Smoke, vanilla, an overipe orange note, elastoplast and then wintergreen starts to dominate. All these notes settled on a solid backbone of smoked grain. The palate has a gorgeous hit of the sweetest vanilla then a short, peated chilli bite followed by a lingering salty, smoky finish. Water accentuates the sweet vanilla and citrus notes, while the palate offers softly smoky sweet and an orange schnapps on the finish. 89
Black Bottle Blend 10 yo 43% (Bunnahabhain) Laphroaig, Ardbeg, Caol Ila. There they are. A cornucopia of Islay malts. Orange vanilla, salty seaweed, sweet spices, cumin. The grain is there but is hidden under the weighty richness of the malts. A silky hit of orange tinged vanilla on the tongue, then an Islay explosion of smoke gently rippling to a salted fruity stew finish. The smoke and vanilla lingering. Left to develop, a delicious smoky toffee emerges reminding me that this has to be one of the best blends on the planet. 94
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