Cask No. 1.191                     $140

Tight as a bow-string

Speyside, Spey

Tight as a bow-string, rich as truffles, the nose gave lemon, green banana and mango, linseed oil and sweet pecans, salted caramel, chocolate marshmallows, honey on leather and hints of tobacco. More complex with water – we found floral notes emerging, wood shavings, star anise and piña coladas on a tropical beach. The neat palate was primarily sweet (Madeira cake, honey, chocolate orange, cinder toffee, caramel sponge) but with many pleasant complications, including coconut and hazelnut, PX sherry, raisins, ginger and a leather tobacco pouch. The reduced palate kept the floral honey sweetness and the oily nuttiness, while adding a carpenter’s workshop.

Drinking tip: A dram to relax with and unwind – think hammock, think summer.

Colour: Bullion bars in half light

Cask: First-fill barrel

Age: 15 years

Date distilled: May 2000

Alcohol: 51.5%

USA allocation: 110 bottles

Flavour profile: Deep, rich & dried fruits 

*PRESIDENT’S CHOICE*  

 

Cask No. 33.143                                      $110

Thank you and goodnight!

Islay

Big licks of maple bacon, sticky pulled pork over hickory smoke morphing into gooey treacle toffee, liquorice and violet. Crispy skinned fish with barbeque sauce and tropical fruit kebabs roasted over white hot coals. ‘Properly good smoke!’ one declared, he was right. Chargrilled pepper and sweet potato muddled gracefully with sundried tomatoes and garden canes. Water brought out a delicious feast of charred pork crackling and Frazzles served with a Bloody Mary. The morning after cure theme continued with more bacon, blood orange, BBQ sauce and red pesto all served in a smoky greenhouse. Wicked but very good.

Drinking tip: After dark

Colour: Dirty copper kettle

Cask: Second-fill butt

Age: 8 years

Date distilled: May 2007

Alcohol: 59.9%

USA allocation: 156 bottles

Flavour profile: Spicy & sweet 

 

Cask No. 93.66                              $130

Take two

Campbeltown

Wow! We were miraculously transported to Kentucky, into an old fashioned rackhouse where Bourbon gets matured. It is hot and dry, the air is filled with intense vanilla, woody, spicy aromas and we feel like those angels getting their fair share. Before we got hypnotized by the heady surroundings we took a sip. How satisfying; white chocolate chilli brownies, honeyed granola cereal with banana chips and dried mango and passion fruit. Water added orange oil, buttery popcorn and that rare earthy/exotic scent found in grated black truffles. On the palate, like German soft candy filled with fruit juice called – ‘Nimm 2’ (take two).

Drinking tip: With a cheeseboard

Colour: Disc of a daisy

Cask: Refill barrel

Age: 13 years

Date distilled: April 2002

Alcohol: 58.4%

USA allocation: 90 bottles

Flavour profile: Spicy & sweet

 

Cask No. 112.8                              $135

“Vegetarian!”

Highland, Western

Initially some were on a DIY trip applying linseed oil window putty whilst others returned to their childhood making shapes with Play-Doh and drawing with wax crayons – all eating Garibaldi biscuits! With time aromas of a black raspberry fruit pie developed as well as roasted hazelnuts resembling biting into a Ferrero Rocher. The taste was like a spiced Scotch pie but with rhubarb and apple filling, white pepper and chilli flakes. Water released aromas of adding a splash of vegetable oil into your hot wok preparing a vegetable Chow Mein with beansprouts, shiitake mushrooms, water chestnuts and hoisin sauce.

Drinking tip: Tintin’s friend Captain Haddock would like this one

Colour: Brass coin

Cask: Refill barrel

Age: 14 years

Date distilled: September 2000

Alcohol: 57.8%

USA allocation: 120 bottles

Flavour profile: Spicy & dry

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