Enticing curiosity dram

Cask No. 3.178
Islay, Loch Indaal

The nose took us to a fresh machair environment, where we could find discarded sea shells and distant barbeque smoke (smoked ham ribs cooking?). There was also considerable tar, some witch hazel, pencil cases and sherbet. The palate was a bit of a shock – that instant signature blast of lavender and parma violets; tar again, chalk and prosciutto – quite a salty finish. With water, we could identify the parma violets on the nose; also liquorice allsorts and ‘granny’s handbag’. The reduced palate was fresh, sweet and enticing; lots of confectionary, liquorice and salt. A curiosity dram from Islay’s oldest distillery.

Drinking tip: A conversation piece

Colour: Young straw gold
Cask: Refill sherry butt
Age: 23 years
Date distilled: December 1987
Alcohol: 48.4%

$145

A Calming Silky Bath

Cask No. 26.80
Highlands, Northern Highlands

A deeply indulgent nose with beeswax, thick honey and linseed oil. Concentrated fruit desserts follow with plums and red cherries, sticky toffee pudding and cooked banana in warm sauce. The palate was rich too with deep dark fruits (plums, cherries, blackcurrants), runny honey and powder puffs. The reduced nose was elegant and refined – waxed limes, blackberries and baked plum cake. The reduced palate was wonderfully smooth, creamy and waxy with cherry syrup and chai tea. A lovely lingering fruity aftertaste. This Northern Highland distillery was built by the Duke of Sutherland in 1819.

Drinking tip: As a treat at the end of the working day – to slow down and relax

Colour: Ginger bronze
Cask: Second-fill hogshead
Age: 19 years
Date distilled: April 1992
Alcohol: 53.0%

$130

Coastal storms and autumn leaf-fall

Cask No. 55.21
Highlands, Speyside (Findhorn Valley)

The nose caressed us with sweet warmth (toffee, caramel, fudge, honey, syrup, vanilla, barley malt) then citrus developed (cranberry and cherry cereal bars, Ribena); finally hints of leather and brown sauce. The palate had puff candy, treacle and dark cherry sweetness, but also liquorice and aniseed heat and a salty, granite, mineral aspect. The reduced nose uncovered barley sweetness, something of the autumn leaf-fall, salted porridge and a beach after a storm. The palate had candied angelica, tutti frutti ice-cream, fresh linen and a citric, salty tartness that lingered on the tongue. The distillery is along the coast from Nairn.

Drinking tip: After a walk on a storm wracked beach or a windy autumn day

Colour: Lemon jelly
Cask: Second-fill hogshead
Age: 12 years
Date distilled: September 1998
Alcohol: 59.1%

$110

A harbour side journey

Cask No. 93.44
Campbeltown

As I was walking down to the harbour, chewing herbal bubble gum I passed smoked prawns, Arbroath Smokies, and Frazzles crisps; the beautiful fresh sea air carrying a whiff of Germolene, Elastoplasts
and samphire calmed the stench of petrol and tar. I couldn’t but enjoy tasting some fresh smoked mussels, smoked seafood chowder, miso soup and cinnamon doughnuts. After a glug of water I smelled creosote fences, incense, pine resin, hay and a perfumed ladies fur coat, while tasting oily, smoky Chinese five spice pork belly that was hot, fatty and ashy. This distillery is said to be haunted by Duncan MacCallum.

Drinking tip: Try while sailing with your feet lapping the water, walking the dog on the beach or fishing on the open sea

Colour: Pear juice
Cask: Refill barrel
Age: 11 years
Date distilled: July 1999
Alcohol: 61.8%

$95

Strumming the strings of the soul

Cask No. G5.2
Grain

The nose [BLEW US AWAY] had coconut body lotion, gorse flowers, caramel [LIQUID SUNSHINE] and spicy, earthy notes (menthol, molasses, scented wood) [A STOATER]. The palate [BEAUTIFULLY DISTINCTIVE] carried toffee, caramel and syrupy sweetness [OH HAPPY DAYS] and tasted like rum, but nicer [‘IF THIS IS RUM I’M JOINING THE NAVY’]. The reduced nose [WAVES OF PLEASURE] suggested sugar cane, orange oil, coconut macaroons [MORE OF THIS PLEASE] and toasted oak shavings, while the palate’s [HEAVENLY COMFORT] sweet vanilla and fruit compote showed just how great [STRUMMED THE STRINGS OF OUR SOULS] grain whisky can be. From Scotland’s most northerly grain distillery.

Drinking tip: Could be the last dram of the night – could be the only dram of the night

Colour: Rich shiny gold
Cask: New toasted oak hogshead
Age: 17 years
Date distilled: May 1993
Alcohol: 65.3%

$120

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