THE WHISKY BAR · HANOI

Daily Review Archive

18 June 2026

Review calendar

6 Amber Room Reviews

Review 134

Teeling 27 52,9% Cask 543

Teeling
90
Illustrative image · Illustrative: Teeling 30/53.9%, c6873; target 27/52.9%, c543. | Client
Illustrative image

Whisky facts

Bottling type
Official Bottling
ABV
52.9%
Cask number
543

One of the few Irish whiskeys that I have in my inventory of ~500 bottles; always a pleasant surprise whenever I pour a dram of these, especially bottles are the respectable age of 25+. A good, easy to drink Irish whiskey but not outstanding, too thin & definitely lacks some oomph; I normally don’t like Rum cask but this was better than expected

Nose

Rich floral nose, the rum cask influence is definitely there, cane sugars, grassy, fresh

Body

The rum taste is balanced with the whisky, not too sweet, still very fragrant, creamy, fresh, definitely fruity, orchards Surprisingly thin body for a 52,9% whisky

Finish

A light fruity & honey finish, slightly bitter / spicy at the end

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Review 133

Highland Park Earl Magnus 15yo 1994 2009 52,6%

Highland Park
90
Client photo: Highland Park Earl Magnus 1994; bottle view.
Client photo: Highland Park Earl Magnus 1994; tasting sample and glass.
Client photo: Highland Park Earl Magnus 1994; tasting sample and glass.
Illustrative image · Illustrative: Highland Park Earl Magnus Edition One, 15y/52.6%; box: 1994 and earlier years, bottled 2009. Whisky-Online Auctions.
Illustrative imageIllustrative: Highland Park Earl Magnus Edition One, 15y/52.6%; box: 1994 and earlier years, bottled 2009. Whisky-Online Auctions.

Whisky facts

Region
Highland
Bottling type
Official Bottling
Age
15 years
ABV
52.6%
Vintage
1994
Bottled
2009

A high ABV Highland Park from the 1990s looks like a promising bottle, especially at an affordable price (12$ for a dram). Definitely miles better than any of the modern core range OB

Body

Typical Highland Park profile with fresh fruitiness & soft sherry notes balanced with a hint of sea smoke, vanilla, citrus, slightly creamy & salty Definitely some oaky notes but nothing too overwhelming nor bitter

Finish

Long gentle peat smoke finish, the smoke becomes more apparent towards the end of the dram, no bitter notes but a hint of oakiness at the end

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Review 132

Laga 25 bottled 2004

Lagavulin
86
Client photo: Lagavulin 25 years tasting sample; tasting sample and glass.
Illustrative image · Illustrative WhiskyNotes image: Lagavulin 25, 2016 anniversary release; raw “bottled 2004” remains unverified. Original bottle/box cuts and publisher logo retained.
Illustrative imageIllustrative WhiskyNotes image: Lagavulin 25, 2016 anniversary release; raw “bottled 2004” remains unverified. Original bottle/box cuts and publisher logo retained.

Tasting sample photo

Whisky facts

Region
Islay
Bottling type
Official Bottling

An average / subpar Lagavulin considering its age and ABV and price (almost 800£ LMAO) - one of those drams where I’m very glad I only got a sample instead of the full bottle

Nose

Meaty smoke, slightly medicinal, hay, ashy,

Body

Slightly sweet, intense smoke but also peppery, like you can feel the peppers in your mouth, meaty, BBQ, the body is quite lacking for a dram that’s supposed to be 57,2% as it taste more like something in the 45-46% range

Finish

Medium finish, the smoke lingers

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Review 131

Balvenie Tun 1401 Batch 2 50,6%

Balvenie
90
Client photo: Balvenie Tun 1401; bottle view.
Client photo: Balvenie Tun 1401; tasting sample and glass.
Client photo: Balvenie Tun 1401; tasting sample and glass.
The Whisky Barrel photograph of Balvenie Tun 1401 Batch 2, bottle and tube. Native 500-square image; 50.6% is retailer-linked, not independently legible here. Full publisher frame.
The Whisky Barrel photograph of Balvenie Tun 1401 Batch 2, bottle and tube. Native 500-square image; 50.6% is retailer-linked, not independently legible here. Full publisher frame.

Whisky facts

Region
Speyside
Bottling type
Official Bottling
ABV
50.6%
Cask type
seven bourbon casks and three sherry casks
Bottles in release
2226

An excellent beautifully balanced sherry Balvenie, this would easily be a must-buy Speyside staple if it was not insanely expensive for a whisky with no age statement (~700£)

Nose

An excellent nose with a balanced mixture of floral, sherry, dried fruits, and honey notes, raisins

Body

Taste exactly like the nose with typical sherry and dried fruit notes, sweet & jammy, honey, plums

Finish

Long finish with the balanced sweet-dryness, no bitter notes but a hint of oakiness at the end

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Review 130

Pittyvaich 1989 2018 28 Years Old 52,1%

Pittyvaich
89
Client photo: Pittyvaich 1989, 28 years; bottle view.
Client photo: Pittyvaich 1989, 28 years; tasting sample and glass.
Client photo: Pittyvaich 1989, 28 years; tasting sample and glass.
FineDrams photograph of Pittyvaich 28, 1989, 52.1%, bottle and box. The 2018 release is source-linked, not a visible bottling date. Full publisher frame and watermark retained.
FineDrams photograph of Pittyvaich 28, 1989, 52.1%, bottle and box. The 2018 release is source-linked, not a visible bottling date. Full publisher frame and watermark retained.

Whisky facts

Bottling type
Official Bottling
Age
28 years
ABV
52.1%
Vintage
1989
Bottled
2018

It’s a shame Pittyvaich closed in 1993 and the Special Releases from Diageo are good but overpriced

Nose

Floral, fruity, grassy, honey, apples, slightly mineral

Body

Citrusy, definitely sweet, slightly waxy, fresh fruits, slightly salty With water the whisky gets saltier but also more enjoyable & balanced instead of just being sweet

Finish

The finish is long, grassy, and dry; with a touch of bitterness (probably from sitting 28 years in an oak cask) but nothing too offputting

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Review 129

Archives Glentauchers 1989 2011 43,7% Cask 1207

Glentauchers
89
Illustrative image · Illustrative client tasting sample: handwritten Archives Glentauchers 1989/2021, 43.7%. The label differs from raw 2011 and is not factory proof. Vial and glass; full original.
Illustrative image

Tasting sample photo

Whisky facts

Region
Speyside
Independent Bottler
Archives
ABV
43.7%
Vintage
1989
Bottled
2011
Cask number
1207

A refreshing summer dram that will not blow your mind but have no discerning off notes either

Nose

Fresh fruits, apples, citrus

Body

Sweet body, again apples, very fruity with a slight tanginess, some pepper & light spices, oily, coating, the body is more full than I would expect from a 43% dram

Finish

Medium finish, the spiciness lingers for a bit on the tongue

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