This quarter was a nice mix of new and catch-up whisky posts. I keep a small notebook for my whisky tasting scribbles. A book typically covers around 2 – 3 years’ worth of experiences. As I cracked open my new book, I challenged myself to try before this quarter’s end, to finish writing all the tasting experiences captured in my old book. As this blog is purely for pleasure and not profit, I don’t tend to set deadlines, however, I hoped this might be achievable! Nope, though it was a good effort.
Why? Well, in addition to whisky tastings, this quarter was also rather full of travels! April began in Mumbai, with short local trips to Mahabaleshwar and our farm. Much of May was my Germany with my “farewell tour” as I officially closed that chapter. Whereas June was Canada bound, before a short weekend in Dubai and back to India.
But you are here for the whisky! Let’s divide this summary into two parts – new & old!
For the NEW part, our Whisky Ladies knocked it out of the park experience-wise – even with my missing a session! 
Our Whisky Ladies were quite active! We kicked off the quarter with our now annual Mahabaleshwar long-weekend offsite. Our Friday evening was a focused tasting from our host – amusingly anchored by the alphabet – literally ABC! Then Saturday featured a remarkable martini and meeting with a 93-year-old resident of the area, followed by an evening revisiting different drams – including two from the previous year!
- A = Ardnahoe “Infinite Loch” Islay Single Malt 50%
- B = Benromach 15-year 43%
- C = Creag Isle 10-year Island Malt 42.2% (Hunter Laing)
Plus a bonus round with two from the previous year’s SMWS that I had missed!
- SMWS 10.284 Bunnahabhain “Ginger Rollmop Sushi Phantasmagoria” 11 year (17 Oct 2013) 1st fill American Oak PX hogshead and 2nd fill oloroso hogshead (Islay) 59.1% (Two to One range)
- SMWS 44.128 Craigellachie “Fit for an Emperor” 17 years (d. 25 April 2006) 1st fill ex-oloroso hogshead (Speyside) 58.2%
In the sweltering heat wave of late May, we enjoyed a remarkable pairing of whisky and food courtesy of our fabulous chef! Her whiskies were:
- Dōaab ex-Bourbon 42.8% – As a calibration dram
- Iwai Mars Tradition Blend 40% – A bourbon inspired blend
- WildTurkey Longbranch 43% – Partnership between Master Distiller Eddie Russell and actor Matthew McConaughey
- Buffalo Trace 15 year 41% – A classic bourbon
And closing our new tastings with the ladies was another evening late June with:
- Benromach 9 year (2014 – 2023) Contrasts Organic 46%
- NcNean Organic (lot BH08) 46%
- GlenDronach Traditionally Peat 48%
Which included a bonus Wakatsuru Saburamaru “Vengeance” Blended malt 46% – a new one to me!
Now what about the gentlemen? I also got up to some malty mischief with the lads…
Our Bombay Malt & Cigar Club continued to push the boundaries of traditional whisky with a trio from Thailand! Launched globally only last year, it was a good reminder to be a little kinder and gentler in our reviews of new entrants with Prakaan’s Tribuna Series, featuring:
- Prakaan Select Cask 43% – Needs more time or something
- Prakaan Double Cask 43% – Promising start with the addition of the sherry cask
- Prakaan Peated 43% – Surprisingly good – a warming peat and sweet
We continued our global leap on the other side of the world with an exploration of Mexican Corn Whisky with:
- Juan del Campo Maiz 42%
- Sierra Norte Yellow Corn 45%
- Prieto y Prieta 43%
What really made this quarter truly remarkable was my Germany farewell tour, which included:
- Brilliant GelbesHaus bar night with some of our Nurnberg Whisky Explorers
- Bavarian spirits tour exploring family-run distilleries
- Nūrnberg’s Ayrer’s Whisky Flight
Turning now to the OLD, I began catching up with the most recent experiences and worked backwards.
I began with a regular Bombay Malt & Cigar Club session, in which we returned to a quiet evening of whisky contemplation, exploring a few miniatures from That Boutique Whisky Company’s 2024 Advent Calendar:
- Part 1: Grains with North British 30 year Grain Batch 6 50.1% and Strathclyde 31 year Batch 4 45%
- Part 2: Single Malts with Whitlaw (Highland Park) 15 year Batch 1 49.7%, Glendullan 16 year Batch 3 48.8%, Speyside #4 24 year Batch 1 47.8%, Tomatin 36 year Batch 5 46.8%
I also enjoyed a few chilled “cheaters” evenings exploring a few miniatures such as:
- Paul John Select Casks Madeira 48% – A perfect start to our evening
- Paul John Select Casks Port 48% – Recommend adding to your whisky cabinet if you like balanced, beautiful drams
- Ayrer’s Organic Single Malt PX Sherry Cask 56.2% – What a find! Blew away all my expectations
Then another evening of miniatures, this time focused on:
- Woven special blends for Carissa and Jetu
- Douglas Laing‘s Rock Oysgter 18 year 46.8% vs Timorous Beastie 18 year 46.8%
- Glentauchers 17 year (8 May 2008 / 25 Aug 2025) Sherry Cask 8546097 54.3% (Duncan Taylor Octave)
The much “older” posts continued my chronicle of impressions from the remarkable London 2025 Whisky Show — now going through the 2nd day with: Arran, Tamdhu, Aberargie, Ichiro’s Malts & Chichibu, Deanston, Glen Grant Birth year drams…
And yes… there will be more to come so stay tuned!
Curious to know more? Check out more quarterly summaries:
- Whisky Lady – January to March 2026
- Whisky Lady – October to December 2025
- Whisky Lady – July to September 2025
- Whisky Lady – April to June 2025
- Whisky Lady – January to March 2025
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