2009 tasting: The nose is really interesting, especially for a Macallan: vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom.  Pears too.  The palate is a fruit explosion -- wow -- followed by everything the nose promised.  Sound good?  It is, although I'd never guess this was a Macallan.  A really delightful spice mix -- distinct, unusual spices -- which dance in the long finish.  It's a lighter whisky, yet you can still chew it.  I look forward to my next glass of this. A-

Now, for those clicking here from the Black Bowmore writeup - The notes above are from early 2009, when I tasted this with a friend and we both independently looked at each other and said, wow! Tasting it 5 years later, I was so excited to have it again... and it was...

2014: Good. Not great but good. The magical dancing spices and zing aren't there. And that's what I remembered the most. More like a B/B+ this time.

Were my expectations too high after 5 years of reminiscing about that night with a bottle? Or was I in some sort of heightened state the first time,  prone to especially love it?

Maybe both. I think that's how whisky works.

Nose:  Very fruity with fruit cocktail and some malt notes.

Palate:  Malt with some coastal notes

Finish:  Mostly malty

Generally good, very straight forward.

Light yellow color. Nose has some mildew, dirty socks, vanilla and some oak. Wood and bitterness on the palate. Decent draw. Looking at the other notes, this has to be some of the most divergent opinions I have seen -- interesting. [Blind - 2/21/14]

Guesses: 45% (vs 46%); 12yr (vs 28); Springbank (vs Macallan).

n: Wierd funk

p:  Rotten peaches.  Not really great. 

n: oaky, golden fruits with lots of vanilla and honey. Some cinnamon spice, but the rest is quite faint and standard fare.

t: golden raisins and dried pear covered in honey. Honeycomb wax, slight hint of burnt wood. Light malt; nothing extraordinary to excite. 

*short notes due "Blind" Meeting newb pressure.

my guess: 41% | 13yr | Glenfiddich

[B-/C+]