Late February Outturn Offerings
Cask No. 121.65 $130
A well-oiled Baseball glove
Highland, Island
There is right at the start a musty note of fermenting grapes which is soon replaced by sweet aromas of fudge, molasses, caramelised Demerara sugar and treacle. In addition some spiciness and the vinous character reminded us of a Muscat wine or Oloroso Dulce Sherry. The taste split the Panel; some got struck matches followed by cooking Sherry whilst others enjoyed flavours of hazelnuts and roasted chestnuts combined with dried apricots and bitter orange chocolate. With water; lighter fluid and lamp oil moved quickly on to nut oil, stewed red fruits and honey on baked pears. The taste is salted liquorice, raisins, duck terrine and a hint of turmeric; someone described it as a ‘well-oiled Baseball glove’.
Drinking tip: Watching the ‘World Series’ of the MLB
Colour: Vin Santo Italian dessert wine
Cask: Refill Sherry butt
Age: 14 years
Date distilled: July 1999
Alcohol: 58.3%
USA allocation: 120 bottles
Cask No. 23.73 $110
The Vital Spark’s engine room
Islay
Mineralic and nose-drying (a dry beach), then scents of mouthwash, bandages, antiseptic cream which increase in strength until they become a full-blown First Aid kit, while at the same time becoming sweeter, like salt-water taffy. The taste, straight, is very dry after a sweet and salty start, with a spicy finish. Water introduces a grubby, old-fashioned engine room (maritime, with exhaust fumes). ‘Hard salt Swedish liquorice’ was also noted. The taste is now lightly sweet and salty, with a whiff of holy smoke. From the distillery which brought us ‘Yellow Submarine’.
Drinking tip: After an industrial accident
Colour: Golden sunlight
Cask: Refill barrel
Age: 11 years
Date distilled: July 2002
Alcohol: 61.5%
USA allocation: 90 bottles
Cask No. 48.37 $95
Real Old Fashioned Lemonade
Speyside, Spey
First to note is the oiliness of the sample with very slow thick legs almost hanging on the side of the glass. Initially a very dusty sour dough rye bread developing with time into a freshly baked fruit malt loaf. Further aromas are of an earthy garden theme at springtime with bursts of angelica and fresh mint leafs appearing. The taste carries on with this sweet herbal theme; cinnamon sticks in dried oranges, nutmeg and an empire biscuit decorated with a glace cherry. With little water sweeter and fruiter like a lemon cordial or a lemon drizzle cake and the additional freshness of a bar of Mint Aero. The taste is now a lemon meringue pie and real old fashioned lemonade.
Drinking tip: When the sun is over the yardarm
Colour: Olive oil
Cask: First-fill barrel
Age: 9 years
Date distilled: March 2004
Alcohol: 58.6%
USA allocation: 72 bottles
Cask No. 64.46 $120
Rice Pudding with clotted cream
Speyside, Lossie
The first impression neat on the nose is of fresh cut grass and morning dew on green leaves in early springtime. Fruity and sweet notes develop; apple bubble gum, raspberry cream cheese tart and strawberry jam doughnuts. In the taste crystallised sweet pineapple cubes, candied orange and citrus peel and pink grapefruit sprinkled with sugar. In the medium length finish there is a bitter but pleasant aftertaste some describing it as the quinine in tonic water others as a soluble Aspirin. With water the aromas are less intense, unripe blueberries, an empty sweet jar and apricot jam. The taste is best described as minimalistic but very pleasant, sweet like a rice pudding with clotted cream and a very dry finish.
Drinking tip: As an aperitif instead of a Fino Sherry
Colour: Polished new brass
Cask: First-fill barrel
Age: 12 years
Date distilled: March 2001
Alcohol: 56.7%
USA allocation: 90 bottles
Cask No. 70.8 $90
Youthful and zesty – yet complex
Highland, Northern
Youthful whisky at its best – nosing of cut grass, delicate florals, dry white wine and lemon sherbet – attractively spring-like, but also complex – pencil shavings, clove, vanilla, crème brûlée and eventually liquorice. The palate showed a good personality – marzipan and honey sweetness, grapefruit and lemon zestiness, plenty of fruit (apple, grape, blackcurrant) some slate mineral notes and substantial heat leaving a mellow after-glow. The reduced nose seemed sweeter – pear juice, American Cream Soda and Jolly Ranchers. The palate increased the wood and flint notes but became milder, the heat more a tingle and less of a nip. Nearest distillery to Glenmorangie.
Drinking tip: The attractive, light zesty character would make this a good spring or summer aperitif
Colour: Buttery, lemon gold
Cask: Refill barrel
Age: 7 years
Date distilled: May 2006
Alcohol: 59.4%
USA allocation: 102 bottles
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