THE WHISKY BAR · HANOI

Daily Review Archive

10 June 2026

Review calendar

4 Amber Room Reviews

Review 123

Hazelburn 21 1997 2019 21 Years Old 46%

Hazelburn
88
Client photo: Hazelburn 21 years tasting sample; tasting sample and glass.
Illustrative image · Illustrative bottle photo: Hazelburn. Representative of the reviewed product line; the exact reviewed release is not confirmed by this image. Source: Whiskyfun / Angus MacRaild.
Illustrative imageIllustrative bottle photo: Hazelburn. Representative of the reviewed product line; the exact reviewed release is not confirmed by this image. Source: Whiskyfun / Angus MacRaild.

Tasting sample photo

Whisky facts

Bottling type
Official Bottling
Age
21 years
ABV
46%
Vintage
1997
Bottled
2019

While the nose and body is not bad at all, the oakiness is slightly overwhelming and towards the end makes the whisky a bit unpleasant, slightly disappointing considering how much this bottle would cost (~300eur)

Nose

Sweet fresh fruits, orchards, oranges, floral, baking spices, pepper

Body

Definitely an oaky whisky with gentle spices accompanying the prominent sweet fresh fruits body, a rare bottle where I think the 46% ABV is appropriate

Finish

Slightly bitter finish

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Review 122

Burberry’s 1968

90.5
Client-supplied bottle photo of Burberry’s 1968

Whisky facts

Bottling type
Official Bottling

A supposedly secret Macallan from the 1960s, definitely one of those coveted bottles for sherried whisky lovers. A very good old sherried whisky with a perfect balance between sweet & bitterness as neither gets overwhelming in either the nose or the body. A very pleasant 43% sherried whisky with no noticeable off notes, would be interesting to see how this would taste at a higher ABV, a very affordable way to enjoy Macallan from the 60s as an OB Macallan would probably cost atleast 4-5x (this was ~700£)

Nose

Typical old sherry nose, a balance of warm spices & dark fruits, sweet, prunes, dates, a very pleasant nose

Body

Toffee, dark fruits, sweet, honey, marzipan, chocolates, oranges,

Finish

Both the body and the finish is fuller than the 43% suggest, the slightly sweet oakiness / dates lingers in the mouth for a while

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Review 121

Gordon & Macphail Speymalt 1993 2003 43%

89
Illustrative image · Illustrative client photo: Gordon & MacPhail Speymalt 1993, bottled 2013, 43%. Label differs from the raw title’s 2003; exact edition remains unverified. Full original frame.
Illustrative image

Whisky facts

Independent Bottler
Gordon & Macphail
ABV
43%
Vintage
1993
Bottled
2003

A balanced and affordable Macallan (~250 euros), despite being bottled at the same ABV, it is definitely better than the OB Macallan 21 for 1/3 of the price. One of those whiskies where the nose actually drags the whisky down instead of elevating it. A good warm up sherry whisky

Nose

Intensely spicy nose, menthol, sweet, dark fruits, oranges, pepper, slightly creamy, the intensity & spiciness makes it take time to discover the different notes

Body

The body is much more tame than the nose suggests, honey, beeswax, again alot of sweet dark fruits, chocolates, dates, prunes, typical sherry notes

Finish

Long finish, warm, hints of oak but nothing too overwhelming or bitter

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Review 120

Gordon & Macphail Highland Fusilier 21 bottled 1978 70 proof

89
Client-supplied bottle photo of Gordon & Macphail Highland Fusilier 21 bottled 1978 70 proof

Whisky facts

Independent Bottler
Gordon & Macphail
Age
21 years

A blended malt bottled in the 70s containing whiskies from the 50s bottled for the Italians. A good warmup dram that would have been much better (and more expensive) without the bitter/oaky note at the end

Nose

Dark fruits, strong sherry notes, dried raisins, prunes, gets sweeter and spicier

Body

The body is more full than I would expect from the 70 proof, smooth, creamy, honey, dates, slightly oaky towards the end

Finish

Warm medium finish, coats the tongue with dried fruits & toffee with hints of bitterness at the end

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