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15th April 2025 |
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Review of the
Scottish Craftsmen’s Association 26th
annual whisky event and the whiskies
tasted on the night by guest writer and
Scotch Malt Whisky forum member,
Companion of the Quaich, Murray Cohen.
(From left to right: Jackie Gordon,
Murray Cohen and John McIntosh)
Murray Cohen, Companion of the Quaich
and scotchmaltwhisky forum member and
guest writer attended this premier
whisky event on April 11th, 2025 in St.
Catharines, Ontario, Canada. This event
is held annually with carefully chosen
single malts.
This 26th year event was augmented by
the Niagara Police Pipe Band, Highland
dancers and topped off once again with a
scrumptious roast beef dinner, haggis
and of course the famous home-made
pickled beets.
The stars of the evening were the 5
single malts which were:
- The Hearach Isle of Harris First
Release
- Glen Garioch 31 Year, MacBeth
Series
- Glen Scotia 18
- Lindores Friar John Cor Chapter
2
- Benromach 21 Year
You can read
Murray’s own taste notes and reviews of
the whiskies below, the whiskies are
available from some liquor stores at
LCBO or elsewhere in liquor shops in
Canada and outside of Canada most are
available from specialist whisky shops
such as
The Whisky Exchange and
Master of Malt
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The Hearach Isle Of Harris First
Release Review
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The Hearach Isle of Harris First
Release, 46% ABV., ex-bourbon, Oloroso
and Fino casks, NCF, NCA. 12,313
bottles.
Murray Cohen's Tasting Notes:
Colour:
Gold.
Nose:
Cornucopia of fruit, tapioca and rice
pudding melange, butter tarts, white
cheddar on toast and light smoky cotton
balls.
Taste:
Full-bodied and creamy; melba toast, a
layering of chocolate notes including
dark chocolate (high cocoa content), hot
chocolate, green olives and spice.
Finish:
Medium. Black coffee, Belgian chocolate
and cinnamon.
Comment:
The Hearach Series of Whiskies are the
first Historic Malts from the Isle of
Harris. An easy drinking single malt
which draws you in all the way through.
Score
88/100
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Glen Garioch Macbeth Series 31 Year Review
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Glen Garioch Livingstone Macbeth Angus
31 Year, 54.6% ABV. NCF, N.C.A. Matured
in American Oak first fill bourbon
barrels. 600 bottles.
Murray Cohen's Tasting Notes:
Colour:
Amber.
Nose:
A selection of home-made citrus jams,
nectarines, dried apricots, poached
pears, sweet lemon, caramelized bananas,
Coffee crisp chocolate bar and
Neapolitan ice cream.
Taste:
Full-bodied and viscous; dark chocolate,
peach jam, chocolate fudge and subtle
oil of cloves.
Finish:
Long. Cinnamon sticks, spearmint, ginger
with lemon peel and a sweet burst of
Juicy Fruit gum.
Comment:
Part of a massive 42 bottle collection
wherein each release represents a
character from Shakespeare’s MacBeth. A
few drops of water creates an enhanced
taste rainbow.
Score
95.5/100
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Glen Scotia 18 Year Review
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Glen Scotia 18 Year, 46% ABV. Initially
aged in American oak casks and treated
to a finishing period in Oloroso sherry
casks. NCF, NCA.
Murray Cohen's Tasting Notes:
Colour:
Antique gold.
Nose:
Assorted chewy fruit jelly candies,
chocolate macaroons, Terry’s Orange
Chocolate and toasted waffles with
Nutella.
Taste:
Full-bodied with a silky mouth feel;
honey and shortbread biscuits, spice and
dried fruit with a growing distinct
milkiness.
Finish:
Long. Drying; walnuts, old oak and Swiss
chocolate.
Comment:
This Campbeltown whisky is another
integrity single malt.
Score
88.5/100
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Lindores Friar John Cor Review
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Lindores Friar John Cor Cask Strength
Chapter 2, 60.9% ABV. The whisky is made
from Fife barley matured in a mix of STR
(oak cask shaved, toasted and
re-charred) ex-bourbon and peated rum
casks. NCF, NCA.
Murray Cohen's Tasting Notes:
Colour:
Gold.
Nose:
A floral bouquet of lilacs and roses,
berry lollipop, fresh strawberries, kiwi
and vanilla nougat.
Taste:
Full-bodied. Intense yet pleasantly
sweet on the arrival with raspberries,
wild blueberries and late sour cherries
on the development with stomped grape
skins and earthy tones.
Finish:
Long, drying. Black cherries, subtle
apple and mild oak tannins.
Comment:
A super charged ABV whisky which
appealed even neat. Added water enhanced
the fruitiness. Perhaps more time in the
cask would elevate the whisky even more.
Score
84/100
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Benromach 21 Year Review
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Benromach 21 Year, 43% ABV. Matured in
first fill oak casks. NCF, NCA.
Murray Cohen's Tasting Notes:
Colour:
Amber.
Nose:
Candied orange peel, a tray of tropical
fruit with papaya highlights, big barley
sugar and whole wheat cereal with
sprinkles of brown sugar.
Taste:
Full-bodied and somewhat waxy; vanilla
cake, coffee danish, assorted berries,
Australian black liquorice and a hint of
smoke.
Finish:
Long. Chocolate creme glacee , hazel
nuts and the old-fashioned fudgsicle ice
cream treat.
Comment:
This Speyside whisky is easy drinking
with some dessert dram qualities.
Score
86/100
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specialist Whisky shops who delivers to
you:
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