Lucky me. Wife and son gave me a Whiskey Advent Calendar from Master of Malt as fathers day gift.
Being a dad is awesome!

Unfortunately I am fighting a cold so the senses are dulled quite a bit. Tasting notes will probably be more detailed as time goes.
For more details on the listed whiskey, check Master of Malt and Systembolaget links.


1: Glenfarclas 25 Year Old systembolaget.se masterofmalt.com
A nice whiskey. I liked this. Not very exiting though, would not buy for myself.


2: Yoichi (Non Age) masterofmalt.com
Boom! Take that sore throat! Burns quite a bit, to much for my taste right now.


3: Compass Box Great King Street - Artist's Blend systembolaget.se masterofmalt.com
No strong feelings about this one, it was ok.
Could not find exact match on Systembolaget. I wonder how the artist's blend differs from Glasgow blend.


4: Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon 12 Year Old systembolaget.se masterofmalt.com
First bourbon in the calendar. Clear smell and distinctive taste of the type.
Very smooth but the 47% makes a bit stingy. I know very little about bourbon but it was really nice.


5: Dalmore 15 Year Old systembolaget.se masterofmalt.com
Meh. Not exciting at all, tame but smooth. Where is the flavor?


6: Kilchoman Machir Bay 2014 Release systembolaget.se masterofmalt.com
Smokin'! Now this is peaty. Nice! Cheap too, I recommend this if you like peaty whiskey.


7: Glen Scotia Double Cask systembolaget.se masterofmalt.com
Smooth, soft and with a sweet sherried finish. Very pleasant.
Unfortunately not available locally via Systembolaget.


8: The Balvenie 15 Year Old Single Barrel Sherry Cask systembolaget.se masterofmalt.com
I somewhat agree with Master of Malts on this, "Classic Sherry matured whisky, really top stuff.".
But the part of top stuff I am not so sure. Did not feel very special, the Glen Scotia was more pleasant.
Then again my mood varies daily for what tastes good or better.


9: Tullamore Dew. 12 Year Old Special Reserve systembolaget.se masterofmalt.com
Not special, quite dull. Had a bourbon hint of smell to it. Matured in bourbon and Sherry casks.
I recommend the Tullamore Dew 12 Years Old Sherry Cask Finish instead.


10: Monkey Shoulder systembolaget.se masterofmalt.com
At first smell I was thinking bourbon. At first taste I was thinking bourbon.
Apparently it is a blended scotch matured in first fill ex-bourbon casks.
Splitting reviewers in two, some love it, others dislike it. I am with the latter.


11: Arran - Batch 4 (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) masterofmalt.com
52%. Power. To much power. Mostly felt like a burn on the tongue.


12: Caol Ila 12 Year Old systembolaget.se masterofmalt.com
Holy smoke Batman! The most peated I can remember having. Absolutely lovely!
Been a while since classics like Lagavulin or Laphroaig, but I'd place it with them, if not above.


13: The GlenDronach 12 Year Old systembolaget.se masterofmalt.com
I've had this one before and really loved it that time. But today it was just ok.
Bit of smoky toffee in the end which is nice.


14: Isle Of Jura Superstition systembolaget.se masterofmalt.com
Had hopes for this one, I really like Isle of Jura Prophecy. But this fell way short.


15: Fettercairn Fior masterofmalt.com
So smooth and tasty, bit of peat in the finish. Overall awesome! Recommended.


16: Balvenie 12 Year Old DoubleWood systembolaget.se masterofmalt.com
A soft bourbony feel, pretty tame overall. Did not feel that it really stood out in any way.


17: Mackmyra Brukswhisky systembolaget.se masterofmalt.com
Rough, stingy, horrible. I really do not understand why people like Mackmyra.


18: Girvan Patent Still Proof Strength systembolaget.se masterofmalt.com
Single grain scotch whisky, 57.1%. The higher alcohol was not that noticable and still pretty smooth.
There was one smell that instantly hit nose, foam bananas. Pretty sweet in flavor. Decent overall.


19: The Lost Distilleries Blend - Batch 7 masterofmalt.com
The most expensive whiskey in the calendar, from a limited release of 526 bottles. Powerful at 49.5%.
A hint of smoke in the smell, but sweet in taste. Nice but no wow.
It was tested alongside with #18 which I say tasted better of the two.


20: Isle of Jura Elixir 12 Year Old systembolaget.se masterofmalt.com
Soft and fruity, hint of cinnamon. Fitting for the season but not great overall.


21: Dalwhinnie Winter's Gold systembolaget.se masterofmalt.com
Tried it directly from the freezer as suggested, but that killed all nice things about it being a whisky.
When reaching room temperature some flavor returned, hint of honey. Not wow but good enough.


22: Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey systembolaget.se masterofmalt.com
Smelled a bit like grass and gave a bit of vanilla in the taste. Soft sweet aftertaste. I liked it.


23: Glenfiddich 18 Year Old systembolaget.se masterofmalt.com
Very fruity smell that ended in a taste of toffee. Nice, nice indeed.


24: North British 53 Year Old 1961 (cask 10708) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) systembolaget.se masterofmalt.com
This was a interesting one. Nose first hit with Salubrin which I could not shake, kept coming back to that reference.
Official notes say "like spent sparklers" which is not that far off.
Unlike the smell, the taste was really something. Oaky and orange peels. Leaving a blanket of dates in the mouth afterwards.
Very very very nice, need to get myself something like this when hitting 40.




In my mind, this is what I want to be doing.