Last Olympic session until Los Angeles 2028


August 16, 2024

Last Olympic session
until Los Angeles 2028!

We'll start with the Americans, including a couple from the West Coast. It's worth noting that other distilleries from the rest of the world—and increasingly the Scots as well, though they remain quite charming—aren't necessarily doing much to stand out, aside from using and advertising these rather unoriginal casks that everyone seems to have, like ‘PX’, ‘Mizunara’, ‘Cabernet’, ‘STR’, ‘virgin’, and a few others. These casks produce good whiskies, but sometimes they can be even more tedious than Ridley Scott’s latest films—if you can imagine. Of course, there are many exceptions, thankfully, and all is well in the best of worlds. Right.

Marula (Natural Poland)

Willett 6 yo ‘Family Estate Rye’ (53.7%, OB, USA, for LMDW, cask #2627, 2023)

Colour: gold. Nose: more classic than the classics themselves. White chocolate, soft varnish, wholemeal bread, amaretti, fudge and caramel, Stollen, almond milk... With water: fresh sawdust and bitter orange liqueur. Mouth (neat): the wood is somewhat pronounced, and consequently, so are the spices. Cardamom, coriander, and bitter oranges, with a hefty dose of cloves and cinnamon. With water: resinous wood, juniper berries, zest, coriander. Finish: long, much the same. Buds and pine needles. Unexpectedly salty notes in the aftertaste. Comments: quite a woody style that you need to enjoy, but if you do, you’ll enjoy it a lot. The wood almost overshadows the rye, to be honest.
SGP:571 - 84 points.

Westward 6 yo 2016/2022 ‘Single Barrel’ (46.7%, OB, USA, for Kirsch Import, virgin American oak, cask #597)

We’re up to Portland, Oregon. Colour: full gold. Nose: strawberries, vanilla, orange liqueur, rye bread, cassis, parsley, liquorice. In short, this is very fragrant, very fruity, very easy, and very lovely. George-Costanza-easy. Mouth: the wood’s a tad more prominent, but we’re used to this with American whiskies. Café latte, green pepper, raspberry eau-de-vie, cassata, muesli. Slightly simple, but, as they say, does the job better than the salary. Finish: medium length. A tad Starbucky, fruity, with coffee and banana cake. And strawberries. Comments: all is very good, this is easy, partly thanks to the easy strength.
SGP:641 - 84 points.

Copperworks Distilling Co. 6 yo 2017/2023 (62.45%, American Single Cask, USA, 2nd fill barrel, cask #0001, 201 bottles)

Goodness, a second fill! Hooray, we’re in for a real treat. I’ll add that both Copperworks and the ‘American Single Cask’ company have already garnered superb medals at our little whisky Olympics, so the combination of the two should work very well indeed. Colour: gold. Nose: it’s fresh, seemingly creamy, fruity with banana and mango, wrapped in a classic layer of vanilla and acacia honey. This description might apply to many malts, we agree, but the balance here is perfect, with a lovely simplicity, despite the high alcohol content (especially those extra 0.45%, right?). With water: brioche and orange cake, orange blossom water, ripe gooseberries, and a basket of raspberries. Not at all in the ‘Beaujolais’ style, mind you. Mouth (neat): very powerful, leaning towards limoncello and eaux-de-vie of small berries and plums. Holly berries, perhaps, or wild sloe. I imagine water will change all that. With water: a real treat, full of tangerines and wildflower honey. Lots of citrus, which is great because we love citrus. Finish: long, fruity, easy. All sorts of citrus liqueurs, ripe peaches, and a touch of very fruity hops. Comments: it may not be entirely distinctive or unique, but the quality is extremely high. Careful, it goes down very easily—I think they should add a warning on the label about that.
SGP:741 - 89 points.

There was a slight hint of Bimber ex-bourbon, actually, let's check that right away.

Bimber 2017/2023 (58.7%, OB, UK, LMDW New Vibrations, bourbon barrel, cask #196)

Our preferred kind of expression of Bimber. And not just Bimber, mind you... Colour: gold. Nose: but of course, it’s spot on. We’re very much in Copperworks territory, as anticipated, with ripe bananas and mangoes, honey, vanilla, white flowers (honeysuckle), and perhaps a touch more citrus for the moment. A magnificent nose, classic Bimber creaminess. With water: green tea, wild herbs, and citrus, particularly lime. Mouth (neat): it’s livelier, more vibrant, with a pleasing touch of bitterness (grape seed). Beyond that, the citrus is having a field day, with zest aplenty. With water: it rounds out a bit, but the citrus still leads the charge, with a hint of passion fruit. Green tea and green pepper in the background, unbeatable. Finish: long, almost refreshing. Oolong tea, a small hint of gentian and black radish. Comments: a splendid Bimber, leaning more towards high-quality green tea than the Copperworks, and thus proportionately a tad less fruity. For me, the quality level remains the same.
SGP:651 - 89 points.

Amrut 8 yo 2017/2023 ‘Port Pipe’ (60%, OB, LMDW New Vibrations, India, cask #3879)

This is full maturation in Port wood. In my book that’s hit or miss, but since the colour is pleasantly ‘rather un-red’, we have deep hopes… Colour: deep gold, almost coppery. Nose: the mango is back, this time in a nearly explosive manner, quintessentially Amrut. There’s a bit of strawberry cake, though it’s kept in check for now, alongside some hints of rubber (new wellies). With water: a touch of gunpowder, then plenty of blackcurrant buds. The wine is definitely making its presence known now. Mouth (neat): a very forward Port influence right from the start, leaning towards oloroso, with lots of pepper, green walnuts, tomato leaves, foliage, leather… The pepper really expands. With water: good news, the mangoes have taken charge again. Szechuan pepper in the background. Finish: long, fruity, but with touches of green pepper, matchsticks, rubber, and leaves. Comments: not exactly my preferred style, but as always with Amrut, it’s extremely well crafted.
SGP:471 - 82 points.

How about we go back to Millstone/Zuidam in the Netherlands?

Millstone 2018/2024 ‘Unpeated No.1’ (55.8%, OB, Netherlands, Dutch Windmill Collection, Kirsch Import, 1st fill oloroso sherry butt, cask #18B244, 679 bottles)

Colour: deep gold. Nose: it’s always a tad positively disappointing (?) when a whisky gives you exactly what you expected, even when what you expected is as splendid as it is here. We have plenty of fudge, latte, muscovado sugar, pipe tobacco, and praline. There’s even a touch of peanut butter and that infamous spread that apparently endangers the orangutans of Borneo. With water: not many changes, perhaps just a touch of green pepper. Mouth (neat): thick, rich, and spicy, but also very nicely balanced with caramel and black nougat. A few drops of coffee liqueur and roasted peanuts. With water: it’s superb. The oloroso is a bit more forward now, with walnut liqueur and coffee notes. Finish: long, spicier, honeyed, with mead and a hint of soy sauce. Comments: actually, this is not a harsh Millstone at all, it’s rather gentle. And very, very good. Not expensive at all.
SGP:561 - 87 points.

After the windmills, all we'll need are the Gouda, the bicycles, and, of course, the grasses and weeds. Oh, and the tulips. Just ask...

Millstone 2019/2024 ‘Heavily Peated No.3’ (55.1%, OB, Netherlands, Dutch Tulip Collection, Kirsch Import, 1st fill moscatel sherry butt, cask #18B070, 648 bottles)

Ah, peat and moscatel. Let’s be honest, we were a bit traumatised by the first Caol Ila ‘DE’ finished in moscatel, but a lot of whisky – and moscatel – has passed under the bridge since then. Colour: coppery gold. Nose: rose, nougat, malt, lavender honey, lychee, with hints of grilled/smoked parsley. Quite amusing. With water: softer, even more honeyed, with speculoos and notes of Trappist beer, the one whose name ends in ‘vleteren’. Mouth (neat): rich, sweet, liquoricy, with strong notes of liquorice allsorts and molasses, then pepper. It almost feels like the moscatel is currently managing to overpower the peat, at least for now. There are even echoes of ‘certain Bowmores’, but this is much better, no need to worry. With water: a slightly cologne-like, fruity gin note, or perhaps Dutch jenever. I find it very good, though we’re beginning to stray quite a bit from the world of malt whiskies. Finish: long, with a strong comeback of moscatel and raisins, balanced by spices. Comments: doesn’t seem excessively ‘heavily peated’, but it’s very good. Big boy.
SGP: 753 - 85 points.

It's time for us to bring our Olympic sessions to a close, as we have many Scots and Irish who are no longer waiting. Perhaps we'll just finish with one of these rather surprising new Americans. The Japanese were magnificent as well, but that was more expected. Right then, let's end with a rye whisky!

Heritage Distilling Co. 6 years old 2016/2023 (63.25%, American Single Cask, 100% rye, USA, new oak heavy char, cask #0004, 239 bottles)

Here we are, nestled in the state of Washington—or is it Oregon? Not entirely sure. There’s plenty of chatter online about Heritage Distilling Co. (HDC), but clear information is rather elusive. Perhaps we’re being too analytical, so let’s focus on what’s in our glass! Colour: golden copper. Nose: as expected. Patchouli, rosewood, chocolate, varnish, peonies, ripe pears, candied chestnuts, vanilla, shampoo, pine bud liqueur, Amarula/marula… I’m afraid I find this quite sublime and, above all, remarkably different, regardless of the stories. With water: those earthy spices we so love, and especially the full splendour of rye. Mouth (neat): fantastic. Coriander, blackberries, chocolate, bitter oranges, ginseng, artisanal cachaça… It’s just a touch strong (no wonder at 63.25%!) With water: rather sublime. Rye, bitter oranges, pumpernickel, rosewater, lavender, cumin, elderflowers, gingerbread… Finish: long, complex yet clear at the same time. Granted, you’ve got to love rye, but I’m absolutely a fan. Bitter oranges, artichoke, sweet pepper, edible pansies, rose jelly… Comments: naturally, we wanted to wrap up these Olympic sessions with a gold medal, and that’s precisely what we’ve achieved here.
SGP: 651 - 91 points.

We still have many athletes who couldn't take part in these little games, but I promise you that you'll see them soon on these humble pages. Alright, cheerio!

Final Medal Standing
After Day 17

92 - Gold
	TTO Trinidad Distillers Limited 14 yo 2009/2024 'Edition N°1' (62.9%, The Colours of Rum, Up Spirits Club, bourbon cask, cask #106, 259 bottles)
91 - Gold
	JPN Chichibu 8 yo 2014/2024 (56.4%, Adelphi, Japan, cask #3822, 215 bottles) USA Heritage Distilling Co. 6 years old 2016/2023 (63.25%, American Single Cask, 100% rye, USA, new oak heavy char, cask #0004, 239 bottles) JPN Shizuoka 2019/2023 (65.2%, Asta Morris, Japan, peated, pot still K, bourbon barrel, cask #1222, 302 bottles) JPN Shizuoka ‘United S - Summer Edition 2023’ (50.5%, OB, Japan, first-fill bourbon) JPN Yamazaki 18 yo ’Suntory 100th Anniversary’ (48%, OB, Japan, Mizunara, 2023) GUI Uitvlugt 31 yo 1990/2022 (56.2%, Silver Seal, Guyana) FIJ South Pacific Distillery 11 yo 2012/2023 (57.5%, The Whisky Jury, Fiji, refill barrel, cask #12, 292 bottles)
90 - Silver
	USA Blinking Owl 5 yo (63.3%, American Single Cask, USA, single malt, cask #0002, 2024) JPN Hakushu 18 yo ‘Suntory 100th Anniversary’ (48%, OB, Japan, 2023) NED Millstone 26 yo 1996/2022 (47.7%, OB for The Whisky Exchange, Netherlands, American oak, cask #1372, 264 bottles) JPN Shizuoka 2018/2024 (46.6%, OB, Sushi + Soul Munich, Japan, KS+WS, bourbon, cask #939) TTO Caroni 25-year-old 1998/2023 (60.1%, Impressions by The Colours of Rum, Trinidad, cask #8, 120 bottles) TTO Caroni 25 yo 1999/2024 (57.2%, Jean Boyer, Rum Bullion, Trinidad, cask #198) TTO Caroni 24 yo 1998/2023 ‘Mars’ (61.1%, Jack Tar, Cosmic Series, cask #2185, 195 bottles) LCA Chairman’s Reserve 15 yo 2005/2022 (61.5%, OB, St. Lucia, GotA & RumX, bourbon, cask #06012000, 232 bottles) CUB Cuban Rum 50 yo 1973/2024 (52%, Spheric Spirits, cask #2314302, 258 bottles) BAR Foursquare 20 yo 2002/2023 (49%, The Colours of Rhum, Barbados, N°19, cask #4, 208 bottles)
89 - Silver
	FRA Alfred Giraud ‘Une Odyssée’ (52.9%, OB, France, Collection Singulière, cognac cask, 459 bottles) GBR Bimber ‘Stratford’ (58.5%, OB, England, The Spirit of the Underground, Fino cask, cask #267/16, 325 bottles, 2024) GBR Bimber 2017/2023 (58.7%, OB, UK, LMDW New Vibrations, bourbon barrel, cask #196) USA Copperworks Distilling Co. 6 yo 2017/2023 (62.45%, American Single Cask, USA, 2nd fill barrel, cask #0001, 201 bottles) KOR Kimshangsoo Single Cask (52.1%, OB, Korea, Artist Edition, 1st fill European oloroso hogshead, 312 bottles, 2023) AIN Caribbean Rum 30 yo 1993/2024 (60.5%, eSpirit, Liquid Treasures, 15th anniversary, barrel, 282 bottles)
88 - Bronze
	GBR Bimber ‘Wimbledon’ (56.6%, OB, England, The Spirit of the Underground, Vino de Naranja cask, cask #310/5, 298 bottles, 2024) JPN Chichibu 2017/2023 (65%, OB for ePower, 1st fill bourbon barrel, cask #8279, 176 bottles) USA Copperworks 3 yo 2018/2022 (56.8%, Whisky-Facile, USA, Black Cat Series, virgin oak, cask #287, 239 bottles) ITA Exmu ‘Spirit of Sardinia’ (45.5%, OB, Italy, bourbon, +/-2024) JPN Kanosuke 2019/2023 (61%, OB, for ePower, Japan, oloroso sherry, cask #19421, 281 bottles) TPE Kavalan 9 yo 2014/2024 ‘9 years + 363 Days’ (60.2%, Tiffany’s New York Bar Hong Kong, Taiwan, Port cask, cask #O140311068A, 147 bottles) JPN Mars Tsunuki 6 yo 2017/2024 ‘Yakushima Aging’ (58%, OB, Japan, for Tiffany’s New York Bar and AF Trade, sherry hogshead, cask #2094, 252 bottles) GBR Penderyn 13 yo 2010/2023 (59.5%, OB, Wales, LMDW New Vibrations, second fill bourbon, cask #313/2010) JPN Shizuoka ‘Pot Still W Japanese barley First Edition’ (55.5%, OB, Japan, Japan exclusive, 2,500 bottles, 2023) JPN Yoichi 10 yo (45%, OB, Japan, Edition 2022) GUY Diamond 20 yo 2003/2024 'SVL' (51.6%, The Roots, Guyana, bourbon cask, cask #23, 174 bottles) CVD Sodade 'Cana Rocca Ouro Blanco' (43.1%, OB, Cape Verde, grogue, +/-2023)
87 - Bronze
	FRA Alfred Giraud ‘Intrigue #2’ (51.5%, OB, France, +/-2024) GBR Bimber ‘Germany Edition 2023’ (59.2%, OB, Kirsch Import, sherry, cask #456, 280 bottles) GBR Bimber 2018/2023 (58.9%, OB, England, LMDW, cognac cask finish, cask #327/05) GBR Filey Bay 2016/2021 (63.1%, OB, England, oloroso sherry hogshead, cask #146, 271 bottles) NED Kalkwijck 2019/2023 ‘Higgledy Piggledy Rye’ (44%, OB, The Netherlands, American oak, 480 bottles, +/-2023) TPE Kavalan 2014/2024 (61%, OB for Malt, Grain & Cane, Port, cask #O140201019A, 186 bottles) TPE Kavalan 2017/2022 (54%, OB for Europe, Taiwan, oloroso, cask #S170515015D, 217 bottles) FIN Kyrö 'Malt Rye' (47.2%, OB, Finland, +/-2023) NED Millstone 2019/2024 (57.3%, OB for The Whisky Jury, refill PX hogshead, cask #2547, 319 bottles) NED Millstone 2018/2024 ‘Unpeated No.1’ (55.8%, OB, Netherlands, Dutch Windmill Collection, Kirsch Import, 1st fill oloroso sherry butt, cask #18B244, 679 bottles) USA Santa Fe Spirits 6 yo 'Mesquite Smoked' (65%, American Single Cask, USA, single malt, cask #0006, 2023) ESP Sherishor 12 yo (45%, OB, Spain, ‘pure malt whisky’, +/-2024) GER St. Kilian 2019/2024 ‘Unpeated’ (59.4%, OB, Germany, single cask, ex Four Roses bourbon barrel) GER The Westfalian ‘Masterpiece Peated’ (64.1%, OB, Germany, ex-Macallan sherry hogshead, cask #TW74, 238 bottles) GER The Westfalian 2012/2024 'Single Grain' (62.5%, OB, Germany, ex-Ben Nevis sherry hogshead, cask #TW8, 266 bottles) USA Westward ‘Cask Strength 125 Proof’ (62.5%, OB, USA, +/-2023) USA Wild Turkey ‘Rare Breed’ (58.4%, OB, USA, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, +/-2024) AIN Ron Colon ‘Salvadoreno High Proof’ (55.5%, OB, blend, +/-2022) TTO Trinidad Distillers Limited 15 yo 2008/2024 (64.4%, Spiritori #1, Trinidad, cask #243, 335 bottles)