It's Friday...What are you drinking?

[jazznut]

Saturday evening follow-up at a gathering of friends...

Kilkerran (Glengyle Distillery, part of the Springbank stable, Campbeltown region of Scotland) 8 Year Old Cask Strength (56.2%): Very Lowland in character. Clean distillate. Subtle notes of garden greenery playing off a sweet maltiness, which seemed even more pronounced the second time around. The barest hint of coastal brininess in the background. Perfect with a couple of drops of water.

Auchentoshan Three Wood (aged in Bourbon, Oloroso and then Pedro Ximénez casks, Lowland region - 43%): Better than the last bottle I'd opened, with the wine-oak influence not as overbearing and far better balanced. Smooth and almost creamy in texture. Notes of raisins, furniture polish and some citrus as well.

Arran The Bothy Cask Strength (Isle of Arran - 55.2%): Yet another excellent expression from this distillery. Sweet malt followed by dusty oak nuances and a hint of the seaside. Drinkable as it pours, but more open with a drop of water added.

Benromach 10 Year Old 100º Proof (northwestern Speyside region - 57%): A rich mouthful of deliciousness. Brilliant integration of Bourbon and Sherry cask maturation, with the latter reminiscent of Macallans of old. Vanilla characteristics alongside Oloroso spiciness (cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon). What great Highland malts used to taste like, and fewer nowadays do. Two drops of water expand the whisky in the glass.

La Serpiente Emplumada Extra Añejo Tequila (40%): Definite Bourbon barrel richness and smoothness. I'd have been hard pressed to pin this one as a Tequila if tasted blind, as it seemed more like a cross between a Canadian and an American whisky in demeanour. Only the faintest green vegetal note on the finish gave it away. Perfect with churros!