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56 | Connoisseur’s Choice


Islay


KILCHOMAN MACHIR BAY 2014


Robin Russell


PROPRIETOR, ROBBIE’S DRAMS, AYR


www.robbieswhisky merchants.com


Robbie’s Drams Whisky Merchants is a family-run business in the seaside town of Ayr – fiercely proud of its independent status and the personal service offered to customers as a result. Fine character and great whisky since 1984.


44 46 SELECTED BY ROBIN


Machir Bay 2014 is the core expression launched originally in 2012. A vatting of five- and six-year-old single malt, matured in bourbon barrels and Oloroso sherry butts.


NOSE: Stewed fruits, forthright peaty aromas tinged with citrus.


PALATE: Fresh fruit cocktail, rich intense vanilla, bitter chocolate and cloves.


FINISH: Long and spicy with more dark chocolate.


PROVENANCE CAOL ILA


YOUNG & FEISTY 40


46


SELECTED BY ROBIN This dram is indeed young and feisty, which represents a new take on Islay malts.


BUNNAHABHAIN 25 YEAR OLD 225


46.3 SELECTED BY ROBIN Douglas Wood


OWNER, WOODWINTERS WINES AND WHISKIES, BRIDGE OF ALLAN


www.woodwinters.com


With shops in Bridge of Allan and Edinburgh, WoodWinters was born from owner Douglas’ desire to share the magic of great wine – not the mystery. The same can be said for whisky, as Douglas talks us through his favourite Islay malts...


Robin attended the launch of this extraordinary dram on the Royal Yacht Britannia in 2005, which is very fitting as this is truly a regal malt.


NOSE: Aromas of figs, dates and spice leading onto crème brûlée and, finally, polished leather.


PALATE: A cultured balance of vanilla custard, almonds and summer berries, topped with a pulled sugar crown.


FINISH: Soft and dry finish, with a subtle hint of oakiness. A true king of kings.


NOSE: Oily and vanilla’d as it opens on the nose, then detect ferry engine rooms, warm coastal rock pools and a perfect performance of peat.


PALATE: A full mouth coat of phenols, tar, chimney soot and ash, then more vanilla and sweet cereal.


FINISH: Long, full and smoky – all neatly replicated.


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