THE WHISKY BAR · HANOI

Daily Review Archive

30 May 2026

Review calendar

7 Amber Room Reviews

Review 111

Wilson & Morgan Port Ellen 1982 2010 27 Years Old 61,3% Cask 2347

Port Ellen
90
Illustrative image · Illustrative bottle photo: Port Ellen Barrel Selection. Representative of the reviewed product line; the exact reviewed release is not confirmed by this image.
Illustrative image

Whisky facts

Region
Islay
Independent Bottler
Wilson & Morgan
Age
27 years
ABV
61.3%
Vintage
1982
Bottled
2010
Cask type
butt
Cask number
2347

Nose

Iodine, sea smoke, seaweed, very intense nose, almost no sign of sherry sweetness despite being matured in a sherry butt

Body

Peaty, grilled bacons, smoked meats, campfire, ashy With water the sweetness become more prominent, bringing out a nice smoky-sweet balance that make these older sherried Islay bottles so expensive and sought after

Finish

Long peaty finish, campfire, smoked meats, hint of citrus

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Review 110

Blackadder Clynelish 1980 15yo 64%

Clynelish
89
Illustrative image · Illustrative bottle photo: Blackadder Clynelish Natural Strength. Representative of the reviewed product line; the exact reviewed release is not confirmed by this image.
Illustrative image

Whisky facts

Region
Highland
Independent Bottler
Blackadder
Age
15 years
ABV
64%
Vintage
1980
Bottled
1995
Cask number
787

Probably the highest ABV whisky I’ve drank. Definitely an impressive Clynelish, especially at 15yo and bottled at 64%

Nose

Honey, beeswax, fresh fruits

Body

Sweet, fruity, slightly spicy towards the end, waxy, does not taste like it’s 64% at all With water the sweetness becomes more pronounced and the whisky become more enjoyable to drink, although there’s still a slight spiciness at the end

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Review 109

Mancarella Irish 2002 2020 17 Years Old 51,6%

88
Mancarella Irish 2002 2020 17 Years Old 51,6% — bottle label

Whisky facts

Independent Bottler
Mancarella
Age
17 years
ABV
51.6%
Vintage
2002
Bottled
2020
Cask type
barrel

An enjoyable affordable summer Irish whisky, a nice balanced fresh-fruitiness

Nose

Grassy, honey, beeswax, fresh summer fruits

Body

Orchard fruits, apples, sweet, easy to drink

Finish

Slightly off note at the end - bitter/spicy

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Review 108

Decadent Drinks Knockdhu 20 2006 2026 20 Years Old 53,6%

89
Client-supplied bottle photo of Decadent Drinks Knockdhu 20 2006 2026 20 Years Old 53,6%

Whisky facts

Independent Bottler
Decadent Drinks
Age
20 years
ABV
53.6%
Vintage
2006
Bottled
2026
Bottles in release
114

My first Knockdhu and it's from one of my favorite up-and-coming IBs. A surprisingly fresh & refreshing dram, a rare case where a whisky from the 2000s manage to exceed my expectations

Nose

Very sweet fresh fruits, bubblegum, mulberries

Body

Taste exactly like the nose - bubblegum, fruity, slightly spicy, hint of smoke

Finish

Medium long finish

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Review 107

Silver Seal Port Ellen 1982 2003 21 Years Old 46%

Port Ellen
87
Client photo: Silver Seal Port Ellen 21 years; bottle view.
Client photo: Silver Seal Port Ellen 21 years; tasting sample and glass.
Client photo: Silver Seal Port Ellen 21 years; tasting sample and glass.
Whisky Antique reference photo: Silver Seal Port Ellen 1982/2003, 21 years, 46%, with box.
Whisky Antique reference photo: Silver Seal Port Ellen 1982/2003, 21 years, 46%, with box.

Whisky facts

Region
Islay
Independent Bottler
Silver Seal
Age
21 years
ABV
46%
Vintage
1982
Bottled
2003

An average PE with a subpar taste & feels more like 14-18yo than 21. A rare miss from my favorite distillery

Nose

Sea salt, iodine, camphor, seaweed

Body

Mineral notes, diesel oil, zesty, rubber, tobacco

Finish

Medium finish, nothing too noteworthy

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Review 106

Gordon & Macphail Ledaig 40% 1972 10 Years Old

Ledaig
90
Client photo: Gordon & Macphail Ledaig 1972, 10 years; bottle view.
Tasting sample labelled Ledaig GM CC 1972/10y/40%; no factory bottle shown. | Client
Tasting sample labelled Ledaig GM CC 1972/10y/40%; no factory bottle shown. | Client

Whisky facts

Independent Bottler
Gordon & Macphail
Age
10 years
ABV
40%

A really good 10yo whisky but this dram suffers from being at 40% ABV, it would be great at cask strength

Nose

Meaty smoke, coal stove, fresh fruits

Body

Starts out meaty & peaty and then becomes more fruity, salty maritime smoke, smoked teas, dark chocolates

Finish

Minerals and smoky finish

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Review 105

Ainslie King’s Legend Blend bottled 1960s 43%

87
Client photo: Ainslie’s King’s Legend; bottle view.
Catalogue reference photograph from Whisky Antique: Ainslie’s King’s Legend, with Italian M. Di Chiano - Milano label showing 43 degrees and 75 cl. The retailer dates this example to the 1960s; the image does not print a bottling year.
Catalogue reference photograph from Whisky Antique: Ainslie’s King’s Legend, with Italian M. Di Chiano - Milano label showing 43 degrees and 75 cl. The retailer dates this example to the 1960s; the image does not print a bottling year.

Whisky facts

ABV
43%

A good warmup dram but not a lot of depth or complexity

Nose

Honey, beeswax, fresh fruits, orchards, very intense nose

Body

Sweet, slightly waxy

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