Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America “Late February 2015 Outturn Offerings” – Scotch Whisky News
Late February 2015 Outturn Offerings
Cask No. 30.83 $285
A Tuscan landscape
Speyside, Spey
The nose wafted creamy exotic fruits (dragon fruit, rhubarb yoghurt, banana split, papaya) with maple syrup on waffles, honey on toast, citrus and perfumed wood; inviting and sophisticated. The palate combined a bittersweet fruitiness with light spices and buttery textures – we found lemon drizzle cake, spun sugar and buttery sultana cake. The reduced nose was a fabulous combination of citric and floral elements, opening up sunny, exotic landscapes – we imagined lavender fields and orange groves in Tuscany; plus sticky toffee pudding, fudge and pineapple humps. The reduced palate gave us melon, raisins, baked apple and hints of cigar – tasty and delicate.
Drinking tip: A summer holiday dram – or to indulge in dreams of Tuscany, any time. Easy on the water.
Colour: Distillation of primrose petals
Cask: Refill hogshead
Age: 34 years
Date distilled: July 1980
Alcohol: 45.8%
USA allocation: 120 bottles
Cask No. 48.41 $200
Pink wafers in a lady’s hat shop
Speyside, Spey
On the nose, pencil shavings, linoleum and sawmills underlaid sweet pastry, Black Forest gateau and some more perfumed aromas (cigarette packets, geranium, purple Chewits, apples, make-up). To taste, light perfume, leather and pepper could not intimidate the sweetness of Terry’s chocolate orange, Turkish Delight, toffee, sultana cake, Newberry Fruits and raspberry sauce on ice-cream. Even better with water, the nose gave us Fry’s Chocolate Cream, pink wafers and marshmallows in a lady’s hat shop; the palate ran light leather tingles over sweet delicacies (chocolate cake, candy floss, heather honey) along with spice, fruit and flowers. Inver House owns this Cromdale distillery.
Drinking tip: Water and time improve it – so make sure you give it time and space to settle and breathe
Colour: Misty sunrise
Cask: Refill hogshead
Age: 25 years
Date distilled: March 1988
Alcohol: 48.3%
USA allocation: 90 bottles
Cask No. 52.20 $130
All day American breakfast in the garden
Highland, Northern
The first impression was of echeveria, aloe vera, warm bark, daisy petals and hedge cuttings. Naturally the panel felt as if they had stepped into the garden for breakfast of the all American kind, bacon and honey on waffles and all cooked outside on a grill. Breakfast was served with apple juice and creamy coconut and lime margarita in a plastic cup. They found it developed more herbal notes with water: sticky Thai rice with shozu, bamboo shoots, angelica and seagrass. It became sweet with banana chips, doughnuts, undercooked meringue and Morello cherry with an agave silky liqueur like finish.
Drinking tip: When days and nights merge
Colour: Vegas sunrise
Cask: Refill barrel
Age: 13 years
Date distilled: June 2001
Alcohol: 64.7%
USA allocation: 60 bottles
Cask No. 54.31 $115
Skip along with Dorothy
Speyside, Spey
The panel found a cheeky prickle at first, then a basket of green fruits: gooseberries, grape and apple. Sweeter malty notes of brioche, gingerbread and strudel emerged. The first flavours were bright and juicy, black currant pastille and licorice, then more gentle fudge and cream soda. As Dorothy skipped along her yellow brick road floral and breezy aromas of fresh linen mingled with warm baked biscuits. Even reduced it retained a fresh tingling sensation like Space Dust, but balanced with clean citrus and soft sweetness of lemon curd in the finish. A delightful wee Munchkin!
Drinking tip: For a happy, singing moment
Colour: Young Moselle wine
Cask: Refill barrel
Age: 11 years
Date distilled: October 2002
Alcohol: 60.2%
USA allocation: 76 bottles
Cask No. G14.1 $150
‘East meets West’
Grain
Whilst pouring a sample we were all reminded of opening a bag of crispy fried and salted corn kernels, followed by sweet, fruity aromas of foamy bananas, a jar of pear drops, candy sticks but at the same time crispy baked sweet potato fries. The taste neat started of very sweet; caramel glazed doughnuts and chocolate fudge ice cream but well balanced by a variety of Indian and Thai spices. With water it turned into an ‘Afghan Monkey’ (cocktail using Malibu, banana and melon liqueur, Blue Curacao, whipped cream and pineapple juice) and in the finish a dried fruit mix with sweet and spicy chilli flakes.
Drinking tip: Beware! – Dangerously moreish!
Colour: Polished copper
Cask: Refill barrel
Age: 28 years
Date distilled: October 1986
Alcohol: 47.8%
USA allocation: 60 bottles
