Taiwanese KC Fan is pretty well known in the inner circle of whisky maniacs. Recently he started as a bottler with his own brand Scout Drinks. The first series includes four single casks between 16 and 28 years old. Here in Europe they seem to be available from Whiskybase.
Allt-a-Bhainne 28 yo 1997 (58,8%, Scout Drinks 2025, hogshead #3498, 127 btl.)
Nose: a warm and slightly waxy (or rather buttery) profile, with some simply syrup, stewed red apples and hints of apricot pastry. Some almond biscuits, caramelized pecans and hay, along with subtle hints of dusty oak. Then just a little pine honey and whiffs of dried wildflowers.
Mouth: creamy and fruity, although the ABV also adds a generous spicy kick. Peaches, melons and pears, as well as white pepper. Then a light mentholated note, some green tea with honey, a hint of tobacco and chamomile. It gets more herbal, citrusy and nutty towards the end.
Finish: quite long, on salted butter and hints of fruit tea.
A nice profile, with plenty of round fruity notes in a nice balance with warming oak spice (ginger) and a pleasant dustiness. Five years ago we already had a wave of nice 1997 casks from Allt-à-Bhainne, and they’re now probably at their peak.
Glen Garioch 16 yo 2009 (61,3%, Scout Drinks 2025, barrel #657, 130 btl.)
Nose: some rather active oak comes out first, including minty freshness and a little coconut. Also hints of pineapple cubes and peaches, along with some cake dough, aniseed and vanilla. A whiff of alcohol too. Not necessarily the most typical spirit, but quite a good modern nose.
Mouth: now the woodiness takes over. There’s a lot of white pepper and ginger, along with green grassy notes and a slight resinous astringency. A mix of dough and menthol, with flashes of (green) fruity sweetness that don’t come out entirely. The high ABV is not beneficial for this kind of profile, and water seems to add a fragrant touch.
Finish: quite long, but very tight and pungent. Some green fruity notes, oaky notes and herbal heat.
This one comes accross as a younger whisky, with a certain astringency and a big cask influence. Even though the nose was inviting, it isn’t exactly my style. Score: 84/100
Bowmore 28 yo 1997 (49,1%, Scout Drinks 2025, hogshead #323047, 76 btl.)
Nose: a farmy onset, nice. Later also medicinal and mineral notes. Iodine, light eucalyptus and engine oil. Underneath some ripe tropical fruit appears. That mix of camphor, passion fruits and guava is wonderful. Then also chalky touches, sea shells and subtle smoke.
Mouth: same pattern. Faded smoke, drops of sea water and antiseptics, with some tropical multi-vitamin juice underneath. Pink grapefruits, passion fruits, some guava and bergamot. Smoked lemons and hints of brine as well. Then soft pepper and citrus zest.
Finish: medium to long, with tropical notes, herbal elements (juniper perhaps) and brine.
Great catch: the milder style of Islay with a lot of tropical fruits. Love that! Quite an excellent example of Bowmore from this era. Score: 91/100
Ledaig 19 yo 2005 (65,5%, Scout Drinks 2025, butt #900002, 170 btl.)
Nose: some dirty vegetal notes at first, like sulfury cooked cabbage with lactic elements. Also deep sooty notes and tarry ropes with a potent coastal side, adding freshness. Sea spray and brine, band aids and hints of smouldering hay. Peppermint and moist leather too.
Mouth: classic Ledaig again. A lot of chimney smoke, wet earthy notes, burnt leaves and roasted hazelnuts. Charred meat. Then plenty of maritime notes, more brine and black pepper. The dirty edge is still there. A firm honeyed note stays in the background while charred grapefruit zest comes forward.
Finish: long, rugged and smoked. Black pepper, salty notes and leafy smoke.
This is true to its style, so I must put aside my personal resistance towards the often dirty, beefy nature of Ledaig. Again a little prickly and hot, but this seems to be an Asian thing. Good. Score: 87/100