Cask No. 76.118                            $210

We ♥ Whisky!

Speyside, Spey

This reminded the panel of delicious buttery toast with slabs of marmalade and raspberry jam. Mint toffee and a lively lemon sherbet took time before more creamy rhubarb and custard took over. It made all participants a little dreamy, we all felt relaxed as if we’d been on a tropical holiday. Water opened more waxy apple, greengage and lemon hanging from the tree. The sweet, earthy orchard carpet was laden with pine needles. It became extremely juicy and the panel were in no rush. Roasted sweet potato sprinkled with white pepper and macadamia nut concluded this enjoyable journey.

Drinking tip: Stop the clocks

Colour: Fading sunlight

Cask: Refill hogshead

Age: 27 years

Date distilled: April 1987

Alcohol: 49.5%

USA allocation: 120 bottles

Flavour profile: Sweet, fruity & mellow 

 

Cask No. 77.38                              $135

Why? Why not?

Highland, Northern

On the nose neat we had a Thai green chicken curry with coconut milk, lime leaves, lemongrass, basil, garlic and pea aubergines on a sunny warm beach. The taste was somewhat different. We had a good old breakfast ‘fry-up’ consisting of eggs, bacon, sausages, baked beans as well as grilled tomatoes and mushrooms, plenty of brown sauce and all washed down with the perfect cuppa. The aroma after dilution was ‘bizarre’ with loads of character; engine oil, lavender sweets, deep-fried Mars bars and the flavour was that of tempura courgette flowers with cream cheese, basil and honey

Drinking tip: Let’s have another one please!

Colour: Daffodils

Cask: Refill hogshead

Age: 14 years

Date distilled: March 2000

Alcohol: 52.2%

USA allocation: 102 bottles

Flavour profile: Spicy & sweet

 

Cask No. 3.229                      $205   

A mermaid in a meadow

Islay

Our mermaid sits amidst fresh lavender and kelp delicately nibbling on salted ciabatta with chorizo. She has prepared a rockpool bath with fragrant lemon and petal bath bombs. Hints of parma violet and sherbet emerge as she dips her fishy tail. After bathing she reclines on a freshly laundered blanket scented with wild flowers. She found seaweed sushi spritzed with lemon juice with wasabi and salmiak. To finish there was toasted cereal, American in style, pops, loops and flakes all in attendance. And with all said and done and a flick of her tail she disappeared into the misty depths.

Drinking tip: When your imagination needs a wee lift

Colour: Wishy washy gold

Cask: Refill barrel

Age: 26 years

Date distilled: April 1988

Alcohol: 51.3%

USA allocation: 153 bottles

Flavour profile: Old & dignified 

 

Cask No. 93.64                              $130

Holidays at the beach

Campbeltown

Four seasons in one day. Cool flint and dewy moss underfoot as our campers emerged from their tent. The sun crept over the dunes so they huddled in wax jackets before last nights fire munching BBQ crisps for breakfast. They rekindled the fire with green twigs, which warmed with intense woody spice, and grilled white fish and oysters in the shell. Sea salty spray blew in their faces as a squall blew over, but after the rain came calm. Old fashioned tanning oil, and floral aromas emerged, laced with sugared almonds and nectarine with brooding smoke in the distance.

Drinking tip: Teasing smoke will tickle your tongue

Colour: Washed sand

Cask: Refill barrel

Age: 13 years

Date distilled: April 2002

Alcohol: 57.4%

USA allocation: 90 bottles

Flavour profile: Lightly peated

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