A Ballet Dancer, a Rugby Player and 2 Irishmen walk into a bar…

Slieve Foy 8 yo (40%abv)

This young and cheeky whisky has a light golden colour and smells light and sweet with traces of tropical fruit and spice. The first sip starts strong and short but it gradually mellows in the glass to reveal a lovely malt coco biscuit flavor and a long peppery finish with a hint of fennel. Score: 5.95

Killbegan no age (40% abv)

An initially alcoholic smell gives way to sweetness that disseminates into caramel and butterscotch, Coconut and blueberries are also noticeable. This follows through into the taste which also has a rich viscous mouthfeel. Some thought the sweetness made it very drinkable, “for ages 8 – 80” quipped one. Others wondered if perhaps it was an addition rather than a result of the process. Score: 5.4

Highland Park 21 yo (47.5%abv)

This one really got the room talking, which is perhaps the pinnacle of what a whisky can be. Classic Highland Park nose with a good mix of Oak and Orange, smoke even some saltiness. On tasting, those flavours are mixed with spiced fruit and chocolate, then coated in honey/maple syrup giving it a silky mouth feel that flows all the way down the throat. A “hug in a glass”. Members were surprised by the ABV given its smoothness, a good indication of the care taken in selection and mixing of the barrels. It had amazing length and complexity and while the divine bouquet and luxurious mouthfeel meant you wanted to keep going back for more, the earthy and guttural finish made you fell content enough to wait and savior your surrounds for a little longer.

Score: 8.6

Lagavulin 16 yo (43%abv)

The smokey nose nostalgically reminded us of old campfires after they had gone out. The taste was peat and oak but also some sherry sweetness. A strong spicey finish with a hint of dates lurking behind the smoke. Held back to enable the Highland park to shine, this benchmark Islay malt suffered from the inevitable comparisons. There was some gooduns too, “A contest between a fencing noble man and a strong lumberjack with his axe”. “The Tarocash suit V the Armani suit, both make you feel grown up and important but to the discerning viewer some noticeable yet subtle differences”. And of course our “Ballet Dancer and Rugby player both can be admired for their fine athleticism but are hard to compare as they have set out to achieve different goals”. Score: 7.5

Next meeting will be Wednesday the 26th Nov 6.30 pm at Suite 1, 17 Peel St, South Brisbane

Slainte, Matt