THE WHISKY BAR · HANOI

Daily Review Archive

01 January 2026

Review calendar

14 Amber Room Reviews

Review 014

GM Mortlach 12 1980s 70 Proof

Mortlach
90
Client photo: Gordon & Macphail Mortlach 12 years, 70 proof; bottle view.
The Whisky Vault photograph: Gordon & MacPhail Mortlach 12, 70 proof. The retailer identifies it as a bottling from the 1980s; the era is not printed on the visible label. Full publisher frame.
The Whisky Vault photograph: Gordon & MacPhail Mortlach 12, 70 proof. The retailer identifies it as a bottling from the 1980s; the era is not printed on the visible label. Full publisher frame.

Whisky facts

Region
Speyside
Independent Bottler
Gordon & Macphail

Nose

Tobacco, leather, dark fruits, prunes, sweet

Body

Dark fruits, oranges, honey, beeswax, dried fruits, chocolate

Finish

Surprisngly long finish for a 40% whisky

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Review 013

Benriach 30 50% bottled 2006

BenRiach
89
Illustrative image · Illustrative client photo: BenRiach 30 years, 50%, with glass; the reviewed 2006 bottling is unverified. Bottle top cut off in the original.
Illustrative image

Whisky facts

Region
Speyside
Bottling type
Official Bottling
ABV
50%

Nose

Fruity, berries, dark chocolates, sweet, slightly tropical

Body

Rich, sweet fresh fruits, honey, light spice, wood-driven

Finish

Warm, creamy, slightly spicy finish

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Review 011

Douglas Laing Old & Rare Port Ellen 1982 2008 57,7%

Port Ellen
90
Client photo: Douglas Laing Old & Rare Port Ellen November 1982/August 2008, 25 years; strength partly cropped.
Douglas Laing Old & Rare Port Ellen 1982/2008, supplied foreground bottle photograph
Douglas Laing Old & Rare Port Ellen 1982/2008, supplied foreground bottle photograph

Whisky facts

Region
Islay
Independent Bottler
Douglas Laing
Age
25 years
ABV
57.7%
Vintage
1982
Bottled
2008
Bottles in release
300

Nose

Sweet smoke, bacon, honey & light fruits, spicy

Body

Very thick, oily, meaty body

Finish

Long dry finish with ash & salt

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Review 009

Bowmore 1972 1993 21 Years Old 49,1%

Bowmore
93
Client-supplied photo of the Bowmore 1972, 21-year-old, 49.1% foreground bottle beside a tasting glass

Whisky facts

Region
Islay
Bottling type
Official Bottling
Age
21 years
ABV
49.1%
Vintage
1972
Bottled
1993

Nose

Fresh, floral, citrus fruitiness

Body

Incredibly sweet, spices, oranges

Finish

Long finish with dried smoke, honey & dark chocolates

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Review 007

Highland Park 1959 1980 21 Years Old 43% Ferraretto Import Green Dumpy bottle

Highland Park
92
Client photo: Highland Park 21 years green dumpy bottle; bottle view.
Illustrative image · Illustrative Highland Park 21 green bottle and box; photo does not confirm 1959/1980, 43% or Ferraretto importer. Source: 美味酒録 / sarichiiiii.
Illustrative imageIllustrative Highland Park 21 green bottle and box; photo does not confirm 1959/1980, 43% or Ferraretto importer. Source: 美味酒録 / sarichiiiii.
Illustrative image · Illustrative Highland Park 21 label detail: 1959 tag, 43%, Ferraretto; bottled year unverified. 美味酒録 / sarichiiiii.
Illustrative imageIllustrative Highland Park 21 label detail: 1959 tag, 43%, Ferraretto; bottled year unverified. 美味酒録 / sarichiiiii.

Whisky facts

Region
Highland
Bottling type
Official Bottling
Age
21 years
ABV
43%
Vintage
1959
Bottled
1980

Nose

Tropical fruits, earthy, floral, musty, subtle smoke

Body

Old, musty, earth, herbal, light smoke, dark fruits

Finish

Long, fruity, sweet finish

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Review 002

Hakushu 18 Peated Malt

Hakushu
90
Client-supplied bottle photograph of Hakushu 18 Peated Malt, with the printed 100th anniversary label.

Whisky facts

Bottling type
Official Bottling

Nose

Floral & fresh fruits with subtle smoke & spicy

Body

Sweet & spicy, dry peat smoke, grassy

Finish

Long & lingering wood, dry finish

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Review 001

Highland Park 12 1980s 43%

Highland Park
89
Client photo: Highland Park 12 years; bottle view.
Highland Park 12 years, 43%, 75cl. Review: 1980s; bottling era not printed. Photographer unknown. Image published by Malt Runners
Highland Park 12 years, 43%, 75cl. Review: 1980s; bottling era not printed. Photographer unknown. Image published by Malt Runners

Whisky facts

Region
Highland
Bottling type
Official Bottling
ABV
43%

Nose

Salty, subtle peat smoke, slightly sweet, light old-sherried nose

Body

Sweet & spicy, subtle smoke, orange & honey, dark fruits

Finish

Long finish, wild berries & hint of leather

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