Westport 18, 1997, Hemp Sparrow, Bottled by Morrison & MacKay Whisky, Hogshead Cask No. 3296, 51.2% abv.

Bartender told me its Glenmorangie with teaspooned Glen Goyne. I always thought Westport was teaspooned with Glen Moray? Unchill filtered.

This description is a continuation from the "east wind" bottle. Now that the table is set and all 4 players have 13 tiles, the game can officially start! The whole point is to complete a valid hand of 14 tiles. A valid hand essentially consists of 4 triplets and 1 pair, which is called the eyes (funny thing is that in Chinese, "eye" and "eyes" are the same, plurality and future tense are conceptualized differently). Practically speaking, the game is focused on making triplets. So what constitutes triplets? Continue next time.

Nose: vanilla and toast, honey, after some time and prolonged swirling I get a more mesquite aroma. After some water, it becomes light vanilla and light milk chocolate.

Palate: initial palate is cherry cough syrup, mid palate has light honey fruit juice, back palate is light, develops a hint of wood and wet old steamed lotus leaves. After some water, it becomes more cool, the honey parts are empahsized, maybe some raw chestnuts and raw watercress, but overall the same sweet profile.

Finish: short, warm apple pie, graham crackers, becomes more dry with each sip but not overly dry. Adding water reduces the drying effect, leaves a very light apple aftertaste.

Unfortunately this one is nothing special, pretty light throughout. Doesn't taste like Glenmorangie though, then again I haven't had many 18 year old Glenmorangies. This is the first in the Hemp Sparrow series which I felt was normal. Adding water provided an additional perspective on the same juice, cooler, more honey, and less dry.

Grade: C

Couldn't find quantifiable, reliable reviews.

Image courtesy of Eric Yee.

Eric Yee

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