Category Archives: Tasting Notes

Monkey Shoulder

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Monkey Shoulder: The term “Monkey Shoulder” harks back to our whisky making heritage. It’s a reference to a condition that malt-men sometimes picked up while working long shifts, turning the barley by hand. It had a tendency to cause their arm to hang a down a bit like a monkey hence the name.

The Whiskey is created by combining single malts from three of Speyside’s finest distilleries. The result is a smooth, creamy, supple and very malty Scotch which works superbly well neat, over ice, or in whisky cocktails (where it really excels).

Region: Speyside, Scotland

Barrel: Ex – Bourbon cask

Nose: This Whisky is elegant and stylish with nose of marmalade, cocoa, spice and anniseed

Palate: Very malty, creamy delivery with a suggestion of berry fruit. Cloves and butterscotch, hot-buttered-toast and dried apricot.

Finish: Medium length, spicy oak and a hint of peppermint on the tail.

Aberfeldy 25 YO

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Aberfeldy 25 YO: A limited edition 25 year old Highland single malt from Aberfeldy that was distilled way back when it was owned by Diageo, who eventually went to sell on in 1998, before being bottled in 2003.This very collectible rarity comes complete with original dark-wood presentation case and is one of just 150 bottles. On the nose it is creamy with some sherried fruit and a hint of smoke, the palate is sweet with a gentle peat and a faint hint of citrus.

Aberfeldy 18 YO

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Aberfeldy 18 YO: Aberfeldy’s 18 Year Old single malt Scotch whisky was originally launched for the Travel Retail Market. Presented in a bottle designed to fit in with the rest of the Aberfeldy redesign, this stylish single malt is a creamy, easy-going treat for the palate. Brimming with familiar notes of vanilla, buttermilk pancakes and stewed fruits, as well as warming oak notes from the fairly long maturation.

Aberfeldy 16 YO

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Aberfeldy 16 YO:  16 year old single malt from the fantastic Aberfeldy distillery, unveiled in the latter half of 2015 as part of the Last Great Malts series. This expression is finished in Oloroso Sherry casks, imparting juicy sweetness to the whisky. Raisins, cinnamon, butterscotch, caramel and apple slice aromas with a touch of floral malt. On the Palate it is Well rounded and mellow with flavour of apple and honey with a spark of ginger. The finish is of  oak.

CHATEAU DE FONTENILLE Rouge AOC Bordeaux, France

CHATEAU DE FONTENILLE Rouge AOC Bordeaux

Region: Bordeaux

Nature: Red

Grape: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon

Aroma: Subtle aromas of ripened blackberries with a touch of warm green pepper.

Body & Taste: This wine is dominated by fruit, of a great complexity. A nice ruby colour. Well balanced. Very subtle with structured tannins.

Suggested Food Pairing: Goes well with red meats, roasts and aged cheese.

MAISON ALBERT BICHOT Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons Blanc Domaine Long-Depaquit, Burgundy, France

MAISON ALBERT BICHOT Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons Blanc Domaine Long-Depaquit

Region: Burgundy

Nature: White

Grape: Chardonnay

Aroma: Floral notes followed by subtle notes of oak and fresh fruit.

Body & Taste: Good structure on the palate. This wine is tangy, well-balanced and shows the lovely fullness one expects from a Premier Cru. A combination of linden blossom and almond give way to a long, rounded finish.

Suggested Food Pairing: Try it with dill-marinated salmon served with a warm leek and balsamic vinegar flan for the contrast of flavors. Grilled chicken, with crispy skin and moist meat is a good counterpoint to the oaky finish of this defined wine.

Framingham Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand

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Region: Marlborough

Nature: White

Grape: Sauvignon Blanc

Aroma: Fragrant aroma reminiscent of nettle, currant, sweet passion fruit and dried herbs with some underlying mineral notes.

Body & Taste: A full complex spectrum of flavours from herbal notes through to ripe tropical fruit salad, including tangy grapefruit, blackcurrant, passion fruit, capsicum and tomato leaf. Good fruit sweetness and soft texture are supported by firm but balanced acidity which refreshes and promotes a long, stony

Mineral finish.

Suggested Food Pairing: Excellent aperitif or seafood wine. Goes well with pasta in pesto sauce and even Thai food.