James MacArthur's Old Masters
8

James MacArthur's Old Masters

14 Years Old, Islay Blended Malt

ABV 58.3%

A big playfight on Port Ellen beach after closing time.

Dave Broom

Specification

James MacArthur

Brand

James MacArthur

Bottler

14 Years Old, Islay Blended Malt

Expression

Blended

Type

14

Age (Years)

2005

Year of Bottling

58.3%

ABV

Islay

Region/Country

Standard (Distillery or blended)

Bottling Type

Tasting Notes

Dave Broom

Taster

Nose: Immediately smoky. Fish boxes and brine. Higher alcohol increases the feeling of rigidity, but it needs water to soften things.

Palate: Oily phenols hit home. Quite tarry. Without water its rather dusty and dry, with it though there's caramelised scallops.

Finish: Long, a little metallic.

Comment: A big playfight on Port Ellen beach after closing time.

Score: 7.8

Martine Nouet

Taster

Nose: Grassy, peaty, citrussy. Thick smoke wraps up seashells and green seaweeds Coal tar.

Palate: Sweet to start even at full strength. Milk chocolate, lemon pulp released in a wave of freshness. Water enhances a bitter edge.

Finish: Dry, chewed rush.

Comment: Alcohol is so well tamed. A fully Islay vatted malt. Vatted, really? More a single than a vatted. Or an Ardbeg vatted with a Laphroaig?

Score: 8.3

8
Overall Score

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