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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells

@swinny34.bsky.social
103 followers 80 following 413 posts

Personal Trainer Loves drams Hates fascist demagogues

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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Concluded our Scottish adventure with an afternoon at the football & a walk up Dumbarton Rock (C'mon the Sons!), a few pints with old friends and a dram or two at the Pot Still. Paying for it today though and not looking forward to the four hour journey back home 🤣
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Hats off to Tobermory distillery - their warehouse tasting was something to behold. Picking a favourite from the 20yo Manzanilla cask, 22yo PX cask (13yr finish), 32yo Oloroso cask and 28yo Ledaig (2nd fill Oloroso cask) was near impossible. All fantastic and Paul, our guide, was superb. Slainte! 🥃
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Some delicious drams sampled at MacGregor's bar in Oban last night. Not normally an Arran fan but their Heritage Barley release was my favourite on mouth feel alone. Off on the ferry to Mull very soon...
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
A really solid tour of Oban distillery (& thanks to Gavin for letting us sip our drams on the way round). Nice to try a few of the core range (the 14 is middle of the road but in a good way) but the prices in the shop were just another reminder how tone deaf Diageo are in the current climate 😡
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Alice Roberts @profaliceroberts.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Reform want to indoctrinate our children. Freedom of (and from) belief is a human right. humanists.uk/2026/09/10/s...
humanists.uk
Reform UK Braverman promises 'consequences' if pupils don't sing hymns
Reform UK has said schools will face ‘consequences’ if they fail to make pupils regularly sing hymns and the national anthem under a Reform government. The party’s education spokesperson, Suella Brave...
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Off to Oban this week for a distillery tour before 2 nights on Mull (warehouse tasting at Tobermory included!) Marking the start of my trip with a Ben Nevis (no visit there this time though ☹️). Earthy, vegetal sherry note on the nose; grape must & bitter choc on the palate. Nice but needs a drop of💧
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
A delicious way to top off a few after work pints. Scrumptious!
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terrible towelie @terribletowelie.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
No better time to put the only indy Dalmore I've ever had up against the Cigar Malt. Wow! Bartel's single cask offering is a true step up in quality. The nose is still sherried but offers more peat, brine & old leather. A beauitiful thick mouth feel carries flavours of caramel, tobacco & dark fruits
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
A generous birthday present from a client & one that intrigues me as it isn't a bottle I'd buy but which is, for all Dalmore's sins, quite well liked. On first try, the nose offers espresso, figs & is a touch vegetal. Thin mouth feel but there's praline, cherries & a nice miso/ soy sauce quality.
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M Meerkat @kackbro.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
THIS 👇 HERE.......
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
My first ever Wire Works & it's a pretty solid introduction to White Peak. There's a pleasant cereal gristiness on the nose, along with a little peat, peach & freshly baked flapjack. The youth is more apparent on the palate but a drop of water unlocks golden syrup, cinnamon, vanilla & wood spice.
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Liverpool Whisky Festival, you beauty! Some excellent drams and it's hard to pick a favourite. On balance, Berry Bros & Rudd's Blue Hangar probably edged it over their own Williamson (Laphroaig) single cask offering. Both exceptional and the venue was superb 👍🏻🥃
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
A recent auction pick I've been looking forward to trying for a while and it doesn't disappoint. The nose offers baked apples, brioche & coastal peat in equal measure. There's poached pears, briney peat & treacle sponge on the palate with a mouth feel so thick you'd think it was cut with olive oil 😋
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Last pour of this Laphroaig 10yo CS (Batch 15) and the peat & sherry are more balanced than I remember them being. Perhaps it's benefited from the >2 years it's been open as all those classic iodine, creosote & sweet oak spice flavours have only been enhanced. 8/10.
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Sipping the new Belgian beer from Lidl and it's really very good. Brewed by Brouwerij De Brabandere who also produce the cracking Petrus range of beers. For £1.49 & at 8.4%, it's unbelievable value and dangerously quaffable.
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
There's a slight autumnal chill in the air so fancied something sherried tonight. This Auchroisk was aged in 1st fill PX casks & offers raisins, sweet balsamic vinegar & milk chocolate. The balsamic notes, plus a little rancio, continue on the palate. Needs water and tasting a bit wacky tonight...
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Had to be done! Thanks Wilma and Loch Lomond for the prompt delivery. Looking forward to trying this soon...
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Tuning into the athletics with probably my favourite of the Loch Lomond Distillery Editions. The fill level has been quite low on this for months so the sherberty effervescence has softened to give a creamier profile with lemon curd, white grape & gentle oak spice. Sublime & sad to see it go. 9/10
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Opting for another malternative this evening given the heat. A couple of ice cubes is a must & this Four Roses really benefits. The noses offers rye spice, marzipan & dark cherries. There's cinder toffee, wood spice & cinnamon on the palate. Not the sweetest but I have been eating ice cream all day!
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Enjoying a drop of Purple Moose with a slice of Hotel Avocado 🍻🥑
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
A cracking indy Foursquare that really opens up with a splash of water or a couple of ice cubes. Cinnamon apple pie and vanilla on the nose with salted caramel, oak spice and stewed apple on the palate, all enhanced by a beautifully oily mouth feel #BarbadosIsBest
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Sunshine on Ynys Môn 🍻 Couple of beers after a day rock pooling then perhaps a whisky or two later from the holiday selection...
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
What a cracking & hugely underrated whisky this is. The nose is sweet with sticky toffee pudding, stewed plum & strawberry notes. The bourbon casks are more prominent on the palate - it's essentially creamy porridge with a spoonful of strawberry jam & another of golden syrup. A perfect digestif.
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
This Ben Nevis has really benefited from being open a while. Previously a bit restrained, the nose now offers more in the way of dark chocolate, cherry, orange zest, nutmeg & cinnamon. The mouth feel is thick & full with plenty of oak spice, blood orange & walnut. 8.5/10
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Geneva 🇨🇦 @geneva1111.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Even Fifa cropped him out
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Seth Abramson @sethabramson.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Hosting a World Cup as President of the United States and having it end with the entire world somehow hating you even more than the historically unprecedented degree to which they already hated you is quite the accomplishment given that he never laced up even once
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Doing a wee H2H between 2 very contrasting malts which differ markedly in terms of age, cask maturation & flavour profile. The dark choc & blackcurrants of the Lochlea are enhanced by the Dailuaine; the more subtle notes of vanilla custard, honey & brioche on the latter are improved too #TwiceAsNice
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Anyone else tried Nigerian Guinness? It's a strange beer - considerably more bitter than it's Irish equivalent and, at 7.5%, it's pretty punchy. Nicely balanced with the roasted malt but don't think I could have more than 1.
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
What in the Shiny Happy People Holding Hands fresh hell was that?
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
A massive thanks to @whisky197.bsky.social for picking the drams tonight. That was a very special line-up that ticked all my boxes! #BlindDrams
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Dram 5 - Score: ⭐⭐⭐ 3/5 - Damn drinkable and if within my price range, I'd happily buy (or have bought) one of these and enjoy it. It'd score higher if it hadn't followed Dram 4. Perhaps slightly too similar to Talisker 10 (still a solid dram) for me to score it higher #BlindDrams
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Dram 5 - The finish: An uncomplicated briney finish with a lot of green, savoury & mineralic notes. #BlindDrams
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Dram 5 - On the palate: Again, the ABV isn't too high which definitely softens the arrival and allows the peat & other flavours to come to the fore. More green olives, rock candy, brine, mineralic & a little ash #BlindDrams
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Dram 5 - On the nose: Peaty again but I don't think it's Islay this time. It's a cleaner, slightly more sanitised peat that reminds me of Talisker. Green peppercorns, green olives and some lemon & lime juice alongside the peat. Chardonnay in colour. #BlindDrams
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Dram 4 - Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5 - I'd be over the moon if given a bottle of this, and would probably drink it fairly quickly. Nearly a 5! My favourite yet, but they've all been good #BlindDrams
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Dram 4 - The finish: Really, very nice. The alcohol is so well integrated I haven't needed to add any water to it. There's a bit of an Iodine/ TCP note on the finish but not quite enough to make me think it's Laphroaig. An insta-buy if it's less than £70 🤞 #BlindDrams
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Dram 4 - On the palate: A very balanced smokey peat that doesn't overwhelm the palate. The ABV has to be 50% or less which helps it I think. I'd probably guess Islay as the marine salinity is still there with plenty of lemon juice and black olives. Caol Ila? #BlindDrams
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Dram 4: N - I've had no whisky this week & the first 3 have really hit the spot though that might mean I'd score Bells a 3 or 4 tonight if sampled blind! 😂 Onto the 4th... Instant peat hit with a nice coastal minerality & some meatiness maybe from a sherry cask judging by the colour #BlindDrams
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Dram 3 - Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5 - I'd be over the moon if given a bottle of this, and would probably drink it fairly quickly. #BlindDrams
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Dram 3 - The finish: Long and complex, with a lingering, fruity sweetness that develops into rich oak spice and well worn leather. It's a corker. #BlindDrams
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Dram 3 - On the palate: There's some of the tropical fruit I got from the previous dram here but it's dominated more by the oak spice & tannins from the wood. I suspect it's largely, if not all, ex-bourbon and it wouldn't surprise me if it was at least 18-20 years old. #BlindDrams
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Dram 3 - On the nose: Somewhere between Drams 1 & 2 with both tropical fruit and citrus zestyness. The colour is very similar to Dram 2. Quite floral and plenty of sweet vanilla too. #BlindDrams
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Dram 2 - Score: ⭐⭐⭐ 3/5 - Damn drinkable and if within my price range, I'd happily buy (or have bought) one of these and enjoy it. #BlindDrams
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Dram 2 - The finish: A little mustiness, leather arm chairs and old books with the added water. A very nice dram but doesn't pack the same punch as the first. #BlindDrams
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Dram 2 - On the palate: A lot of tropical fruit right away - papaya, banana and mango. The oak spice is still there and it's a little hot (Maybe 57-58% ABV) but that doesn't detract from the flavours. A little water softens the palate and adds some caramel & orange oil. #BlindDrams
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Dram 2 - On the nose: - A couple of shades darker than Dram 1, similar to a Sauternes. The nose is a tad spicier too with a bit more oak as well as peaches & dulche de leche. #BlindDrams
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Dram 1 - Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5 - I'd be over the moon if given a bottle of this, and would probably drink it fairly quickly. Really like this, it gets a 4 from me. #BlindDrams
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Dram 1 - Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5 - I'd be over the moon if given a bottle of this, and would probably drink it fairly quickly. #BlindDrams
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Sam 'Slams Drams' Swindells @swinny34.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Dram 1 - The finish: Quite dry to finish but pleasantly so - more similarities to the white wine it resembles. The fudge returns with a nice dusty maltiness too. Reminds of a Blair Athol I tried at the distillery last year. I'd guess ABV was around 55% #BlindDrams
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