I was at the festival last Friday. It was opening night
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and I must say it was a success.40 Euro's to get in and with the entrance tasting glass, a friend and myself walked around the different stalls and tasted the night away. I cant remember how we got to the train station in Leiden to catch the train to Utrecht and then change for Arnhem, but I did wake up in my own bed the next morning, much to the chagrin of my wife who complained of my excessive snoring which allways happens when I have a few too many:-) Anyway, I met an old friend the Japanese co-owner of The Highlander Inn in Craigellachie in Speyside and we had a wee chat. All in all a great night with not too many surpises. But I will share a couple of my delights which I tasted for the first time.
- The Edradour Double Peated. This was so heavily peated, that the peat overpowered al else. It was pleasant though, but not very complex and I would not buy it.
- Chieftains Choice Caol Ila St. Emilion Finish. Incredible! Smoky bacon and a finish of stwaberry cream. Amazing malt whisky and I certainly will buy it.
- Craigellachie 10 Years: Creamy buttery, lovely Speyside. Lovely dram indeed.
- Cú Dhubh. Disgusting black stuff that I threw away after one taste. Simply awful.
I could go on and on, so I will leave it at this and I also wanted to mention that due to a thread in this group my interest was awakened about the Pappie Van Winkle 15 year old bourbon. I am sorry to report that I was not impressed. Very sweet. Maybe if I tried it on its own and not after several single malts I might like it better.
I wonder if anyone else in this group was there. Next year it will be part of the international Whisky Live events.
Peace,
Jock
The Step-We-Ceilidh Band.
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