Gordon
@gordonbear.bsky.social
Love all things Whisky, Ice Hockey and Rugby. Proud dad and too sarcastic for my own good most of the time
I can't believe a gave a fragrant drops bottling a 1. That's shock. I usually love all their stuff. But a great lineup Cliff. Well done on the selection and there is definitely a couple added to me list of purchase if given a chance
February 7, 2026 at 11:24 PM
I can't believe a gave a fragrant drops bottling a 1. That's shock. I usually love all their stuff. But a great lineup Cliff. Well done on the selection and there is definitely a couple added to me list of purchase if given a chance
Massive thanks to @maltmusings.bsky.social for organising it all and to @cliffmann.bsky.social for picking the drams. My apologies for missing the evening but I really enjoyed the drams and had a brilliant time tasting them
February 7, 2026 at 11:20 PM
Massive thanks to @maltmusings.bsky.social for organising it all and to @cliffmann.bsky.social for picking the drams. My apologies for missing the evening but I really enjoyed the drams and had a brilliant time tasting them
#BlindDrams 61 dot 5
N: Caramel. Smoky Bacon Crisps. Red Berries.
P: Butter. Caramel. Biscuits. Touch of Ash. Woodsmoke.
F: Medium. Fragrant Woodsmoke. Cinnamon. Ginger. Grapefruit Pith. Coffee. Red Berries.
Score: 2
Notes: A bit like a lot of these drams - decent but nothing exceptional.
N: Caramel. Smoky Bacon Crisps. Red Berries.
P: Butter. Caramel. Biscuits. Touch of Ash. Woodsmoke.
F: Medium. Fragrant Woodsmoke. Cinnamon. Ginger. Grapefruit Pith. Coffee. Red Berries.
Score: 2
Notes: A bit like a lot of these drams - decent but nothing exceptional.
February 7, 2026 at 11:18 PM
#BlindDrams 61 dot 5
N: Caramel. Smoky Bacon Crisps. Red Berries.
P: Butter. Caramel. Biscuits. Touch of Ash. Woodsmoke.
F: Medium. Fragrant Woodsmoke. Cinnamon. Ginger. Grapefruit Pith. Coffee. Red Berries.
Score: 2
Notes: A bit like a lot of these drams - decent but nothing exceptional.
N: Caramel. Smoky Bacon Crisps. Red Berries.
P: Butter. Caramel. Biscuits. Touch of Ash. Woodsmoke.
F: Medium. Fragrant Woodsmoke. Cinnamon. Ginger. Grapefruit Pith. Coffee. Red Berries.
Score: 2
Notes: A bit like a lot of these drams - decent but nothing exceptional.
#BlindDrams61 Dot 4
N: Honey. Caramel. Red Apple. Paper. Digestive Biscuits. Herbalness.
P: Honey. Brown Sugar.Banana. Aniseed. White Pepper. Chilli.
F: Medium. Chilli. White Pepper. Clove. Pencil Shavings.
Score:1
Notes: Struggled a lot with this and just found it too hot and spicy for me
N: Honey. Caramel. Red Apple. Paper. Digestive Biscuits. Herbalness.
P: Honey. Brown Sugar.Banana. Aniseed. White Pepper. Chilli.
F: Medium. Chilli. White Pepper. Clove. Pencil Shavings.
Score:1
Notes: Struggled a lot with this and just found it too hot and spicy for me
February 7, 2026 at 11:17 PM
#BlindDrams61 Dot 4
N: Honey. Caramel. Red Apple. Paper. Digestive Biscuits. Herbalness.
P: Honey. Brown Sugar.Banana. Aniseed. White Pepper. Chilli.
F: Medium. Chilli. White Pepper. Clove. Pencil Shavings.
Score:1
Notes: Struggled a lot with this and just found it too hot and spicy for me
N: Honey. Caramel. Red Apple. Paper. Digestive Biscuits. Herbalness.
P: Honey. Brown Sugar.Banana. Aniseed. White Pepper. Chilli.
F: Medium. Chilli. White Pepper. Clove. Pencil Shavings.
Score:1
Notes: Struggled a lot with this and just found it too hot and spicy for me
#BlindDrams 61 Dot 3
N: Vanilla. Lemon. Brown Sugar. Caramel. Bannoffee Pie. Dark Chocolate. Ginger.
P: Vanilla. Lemon. Bannoffee. Brown Sugar. Coffee. Cinnamon. Nutmeg.
F: Medium. Brown Sugar. Licorice. Foam Bananas. Nutmeg. Coffee.
Score: 3
Notes: Feels like a fortified wine cask. Marsala?
N: Vanilla. Lemon. Brown Sugar. Caramel. Bannoffee Pie. Dark Chocolate. Ginger.
P: Vanilla. Lemon. Bannoffee. Brown Sugar. Coffee. Cinnamon. Nutmeg.
F: Medium. Brown Sugar. Licorice. Foam Bananas. Nutmeg. Coffee.
Score: 3
Notes: Feels like a fortified wine cask. Marsala?
February 7, 2026 at 11:15 PM
#BlindDrams 61 Dot 3
N: Vanilla. Lemon. Brown Sugar. Caramel. Bannoffee Pie. Dark Chocolate. Ginger.
P: Vanilla. Lemon. Bannoffee. Brown Sugar. Coffee. Cinnamon. Nutmeg.
F: Medium. Brown Sugar. Licorice. Foam Bananas. Nutmeg. Coffee.
Score: 3
Notes: Feels like a fortified wine cask. Marsala?
N: Vanilla. Lemon. Brown Sugar. Caramel. Bannoffee Pie. Dark Chocolate. Ginger.
P: Vanilla. Lemon. Bannoffee. Brown Sugar. Coffee. Cinnamon. Nutmeg.
F: Medium. Brown Sugar. Licorice. Foam Bananas. Nutmeg. Coffee.
Score: 3
Notes: Feels like a fortified wine cask. Marsala?
#BlindDrams 61 Dot 2
N: Honey. Strawberry Jam. Coffee. Chocolate Toffees. Hints of menthol.
P: Oily. Sweet. Butter. Toffee. Red Berries. Jam.
F: Medium - Long. Honey. Red Berries. Jammy. Aniseed. Espresso. Cinnamon.
Score: 3.
Notes: Rich, Sweet, Red fruits and jams. Very rich and decadent.
N: Honey. Strawberry Jam. Coffee. Chocolate Toffees. Hints of menthol.
P: Oily. Sweet. Butter. Toffee. Red Berries. Jam.
F: Medium - Long. Honey. Red Berries. Jammy. Aniseed. Espresso. Cinnamon.
Score: 3.
Notes: Rich, Sweet, Red fruits and jams. Very rich and decadent.
February 7, 2026 at 11:14 PM
#BlindDrams 61 Dot 2
N: Honey. Strawberry Jam. Coffee. Chocolate Toffees. Hints of menthol.
P: Oily. Sweet. Butter. Toffee. Red Berries. Jam.
F: Medium - Long. Honey. Red Berries. Jammy. Aniseed. Espresso. Cinnamon.
Score: 3.
Notes: Rich, Sweet, Red fruits and jams. Very rich and decadent.
N: Honey. Strawberry Jam. Coffee. Chocolate Toffees. Hints of menthol.
P: Oily. Sweet. Butter. Toffee. Red Berries. Jam.
F: Medium - Long. Honey. Red Berries. Jammy. Aniseed. Espresso. Cinnamon.
Score: 3.
Notes: Rich, Sweet, Red fruits and jams. Very rich and decadent.
#BlindDrams 61 Dot 1:
N: Vanilla. Honey. Lemon. A bit dusty. Floral.
P: Oily. Honey. Lemon. Ginger. White Pepper.
F: Short. Slightly Drying. White Pepper. Honey. Fudge. Candied Lemon Peel.
Score: 2
Notes: Pretty decent clean, easy drinking but nothing special or remarkable.
N: Vanilla. Honey. Lemon. A bit dusty. Floral.
P: Oily. Honey. Lemon. Ginger. White Pepper.
F: Short. Slightly Drying. White Pepper. Honey. Fudge. Candied Lemon Peel.
Score: 2
Notes: Pretty decent clean, easy drinking but nothing special or remarkable.
February 7, 2026 at 11:13 PM
#BlindDrams 61 Dot 1:
N: Vanilla. Honey. Lemon. A bit dusty. Floral.
P: Oily. Honey. Lemon. Ginger. White Pepper.
F: Short. Slightly Drying. White Pepper. Honey. Fudge. Candied Lemon Peel.
Score: 2
Notes: Pretty decent clean, easy drinking but nothing special or remarkable.
N: Vanilla. Honey. Lemon. A bit dusty. Floral.
P: Oily. Honey. Lemon. Ginger. White Pepper.
F: Short. Slightly Drying. White Pepper. Honey. Fudge. Candied Lemon Peel.
Score: 2
Notes: Pretty decent clean, easy drinking but nothing special or remarkable.
I've been working night shift the last few months and the worst thing about that is learning to go to bed at a sensible time when you aren't working.. On a positive, the awakeness gives you time to kill fantastic bottles like this. This is the best renewal bottle from SMWS I've had in 2024. #Slainte
January 30, 2026 at 12:36 AM
I've been working night shift the last few months and the worst thing about that is learning to go to bed at a sensible time when you aren't working.. On a positive, the awakeness gives you time to kill fantastic bottles like this. This is the best renewal bottle from SMWS I've had in 2024. #Slainte
There isn't enough cask ales in the world anymore. This sounds delightful. Hope you had a great evening.
January 30, 2026 at 12:02 AM
There isn't enough cask ales in the world anymore. This sounds delightful. Hope you had a great evening.
Tipsy Midgy in Edinburgh. I've never been before but would definitely come back again. Absolutely incredible selection of whisky to choose from but ended up with a decent little flight this evening.
August 9, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Tipsy Midgy in Edinburgh. I've never been before but would definitely come back again. Absolutely incredible selection of whisky to choose from but ended up with a decent little flight this evening.
No trip to Edinburgh is complete without a little trip to SMWS.
August 9, 2025 at 5:10 PM
No trip to Edinburgh is complete without a little trip to SMWS.
Work done for the week so time for a cheeky pint of Boundary's Imbongo Tropical IPA before another Whiskey tasting 😊
July 24, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Work done for the week so time for a cheeky pint of Boundary's Imbongo Tropical IPA before another Whiskey tasting 😊
Two more very tasty tastings this afternoon for Belfast Whiskey Week. Micil distillery with 3 whiskies, 2 Poitins and a Cream Liqueur. Then an Irish Single Malts over 20 Years Old (ish anyway 😂😂) #Slainte
July 21, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Two more very tasty tastings this afternoon for Belfast Whiskey Week. Micil distillery with 3 whiskies, 2 Poitins and a Cream Liqueur. Then an Irish Single Malts over 20 Years Old (ish anyway 😂😂) #Slainte
Belfast Whiskey Week tasting number two of the day is the Redbreast Iberian Series - Lustau, Tawny Port, PX and then the Cuatro Bariles. Cuatro Bariles was the standout but PX wasn't far behind.
July 18, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Belfast Whiskey Week tasting number two of the day is the Redbreast Iberian Series - Lustau, Tawny Port, PX and then the Cuatro Bariles. Cuatro Bariles was the standout but PX wasn't far behind.
I must admit they weren't the easiest things to drink from either 😂😂
July 18, 2025 at 4:36 PM
I must admit they weren't the easiest things to drink from either 😂😂
Not a bad way to spend a Friday lunchtime. Nice little beer and whisky tasting at Belfast Whiskey Week.
Teeling Stout Cask paired with a Hefeweizen @ 6%, Hinch Imperial Stout Cask paired with a NEPA @ 5% and Jameson Stout Cask paired with an IPA @ 5.3% #BWW25
Teeling Stout Cask paired with a Hefeweizen @ 6%, Hinch Imperial Stout Cask paired with a NEPA @ 5% and Jameson Stout Cask paired with an IPA @ 5.3% #BWW25
July 18, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Not a bad way to spend a Friday lunchtime. Nice little beer and whisky tasting at Belfast Whiskey Week.
Teeling Stout Cask paired with a Hefeweizen @ 6%, Hinch Imperial Stout Cask paired with a NEPA @ 5% and Jameson Stout Cask paired with an IPA @ 5.3% #BWW25
Teeling Stout Cask paired with a Hefeweizen @ 6%, Hinch Imperial Stout Cask paired with a NEPA @ 5% and Jameson Stout Cask paired with an IPA @ 5.3% #BWW25
Overall Scores - 4,2,3,3,1 (Changed Dram 1 to a 4 upon reflection) #BlindDrams Many thanks to @jwbassman.bsky.social for the Drams this evening.
July 12, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Overall Scores - 4,2,3,3,1 (Changed Dram 1 to a 4 upon reflection) #BlindDrams Many thanks to @jwbassman.bsky.social for the Drams this evening.
#BlindDrams #5 Score: 1 - I'll be in the minority on this one I feel but just a touch too charred and sherried for me.
July 12, 2025 at 8:25 PM
#BlindDrams #5 Score: 1 - I'll be in the minority on this one I feel but just a touch too charred and sherried for me.
#BlindDrams #5 Finish: Long. Drying. Wood Char. Espresso. Burnt herbs. Cinnamon. Orange.
July 12, 2025 at 8:25 PM
#BlindDrams #5 Finish: Long. Drying. Wood Char. Espresso. Burnt herbs. Cinnamon. Orange.
#BlindDrams #5 Palate: Oily. Toffee. Caramel. Brown Sugar. Dried Fruits. Orange Peel. Baking Spices. Black Pepper.
July 12, 2025 at 8:22 PM
#BlindDrams #5 Palate: Oily. Toffee. Caramel. Brown Sugar. Dried Fruits. Orange Peel. Baking Spices. Black Pepper.
#BlindDrams #5 Nose: Quite Prickly. Burnt Caramel. New Leather. Orange. Thyme. Baking Spices.
July 12, 2025 at 8:16 PM
#BlindDrams #5 Nose: Quite Prickly. Burnt Caramel. New Leather. Orange. Thyme. Baking Spices.
#BlindDrams #4 Score: 3. Pretty enjoyable and with all that floral peat gonna go out on a limb and guess its a Highland Park.
July 12, 2025 at 8:05 PM
#BlindDrams #4 Score: 3. Pretty enjoyable and with all that floral peat gonna go out on a limb and guess its a Highland Park.
#BlindDrams #4 Finish: Medium. Slightly Drying on the tongue. Wood Smoke. Honey. Lavender. Cranberries. Ginger.
July 12, 2025 at 8:05 PM
#BlindDrams #4 Finish: Medium. Slightly Drying on the tongue. Wood Smoke. Honey. Lavender. Cranberries. Ginger.
#BlindDrams #4 Palate: Oily and Syrupy Mouthfeel. Orange. Honey. Barley. Porridge. Floral. Some smokeyness at back end.
July 12, 2025 at 8:02 PM
#BlindDrams #4 Palate: Oily and Syrupy Mouthfeel. Orange. Honey. Barley. Porridge. Floral. Some smokeyness at back end.
#BlindDrams #4 Nose: Really floral. Lavender. Rose Water. Runny Honey. Marmalade. Hint of Smoked Fish. Ginger.
July 12, 2025 at 7:56 PM
#BlindDrams #4 Nose: Really floral. Lavender. Rose Water. Runny Honey. Marmalade. Hint of Smoked Fish. Ginger.