Month: September 2020

Black Gate: BG072 – Cask Strength

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Black Gate BG072 - Cask Strength

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Nose: Bushfire smoke. Wet earth. Fresh roadworks. Palate: Raw peaty spirit - but not green at all. Dirty, earthy, smoke - pure unadulterated bushfire. A little salty. A little sweet. Faint traces of winter fruits. Mouthfeel: Thick and warming. No burn at all - even at this cask strength. Finish: Long. So very very long. Smoke hanging around until next century. Bottled exclusively for the RTD Spirits Covid-19 Black Gate whisky tasting that took place (virtually) on the 20th June 2020. This special-release whisky was bottled at a cask strength of 69.3% ABV with no colouring and no chill filtration…

Would I Drink It Again?

Total Score

Absolutely - one of my regrets in life is that I only bought 2 bottles of this whisky!

Black Gate: BG069 – Cask Strength

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Black Gate BG069 - Cask Strength

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Nose: Vanilla fudge, sultanas, and milk arrowroot biscuits. Quite a bit of peat comes through as well. Palate: Dark dried fruits - lots of berries and sultanas; along with hints of vanilla. Surprisingly sweet. Traces of smoke all through - but not overpowering. Mouthfeel: Thick and creamy. A little bit dry. Finish: Christmas cake with hints of smoke. The finish lasts forever. Bottled exclusively for the RTD Spirits Covid-19 Black Gate whisky tasting that took place (virtually) on the 20th June 2020. This special-release whisky was bottled at a cask strength of 68.8% ABV with no colouring and no chill…

Would I Drink It Again?

Total Score

I'd love to - although the tiny release will make that unlikely.

Black Gate: BG081 Cask Strength – Single Cask Rum

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Black Gate BG081 - Cask Strength

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Nose: Maple syrup, sultanas, and hints of icing sugar. Palate: Christmas cake with a cocoa dusting, with a side-serving of dried pears covered in honey. Mouthfeel: Thick with no hints of burn despite ABV. Finish: It has a decent length - although not as long as the BG073CS. Quite sweet - with honey notes lasting till the end. This Covid-19 special release bottling of Black Gate's BG081 single cask rum is bottled at a massive cask strength of 66% ABV with no additives. It was a limited run of 10 bottles that were sold at a virtual Black Gate tasting…

Would I Drink It Again?

Total Score

In a heartbeat - although as a limited one-time release, that is unlikely.

Black Gate: BG073 Cask Strength – Single Cask Rum

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Black Gate BG073 - Cask Strength

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Nose: Sultanas, Golden Syrup, Nutmeg, toffee – strong and dark. Palate: Lots and lots of juicy sultanas and raisins.  Some golden syrup – although not as much as on the nose.  Hints of cocoa and sweet spices. Mouthfeel: Whoa – this is strong and thick.  A little burn on the tongue – but not as much as you’d expect from the ABV.  Quite dry. Finish: Sweet spices, dried fruits, and some brown sugar.  It lasts a long time – the spices just don’t quit. This Covid-19 special release bottling of Black Gate's BG073 single cask rum is bottled at a…

Would I Drink It Again?

Total Score

If I could, I would - I regret not buying a bottle when I could!

Black Gate: BG047 – Cask Strength

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Black Gate BG047 - Cask Strength

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Nose: Quite sweet - lots of candied strawberries and Iced Vovos. Palate: Not as sweet as the nose would suggest; with some spices coming in. Berry pannacotta with cream and sour cherries. Mouthfeel: Super thick, and quite oily. A little bit of alcohol burn. Finish: The sweetness from the nose is back again. Dried berries and sweet desert spices. This one has a medium-long finish. Bottled exclusively for the Whisky Freedom / NTD Spirits Covid-19 Black Gate whisky tasting that took place (virtually) on the 20th June 2020. This special-release whisky was bottled at a cask strength of 67% ABV…

Would I Drink It Again?

Total Score

Without a doubt. A superb whisky.