MALTBARN

SCOTCH FRESH FROM DEUTSCHLAND

Shocked is how I would describe our faces as we finished our final sample. We were having a good old go on the entire range of Maltbarn whiskies that had just arrived from Germany. The thing with single cask bottlings is that because they are inherently unique they can also be highly variable, and this was the first time the entire staff were united behind the entire output of a single independent bottler. Unheard of…

Maltbarn are best summarised in their own words: “We don`t care about the latest hype, marketing tricks or fancy packaging. Instead we only sell whisky we love to drink ourselves!” You can’t say fairer than that, and that is also very much our approach. So it’s no wonder we were getting on so famously with their whiskies. Although I have to say we were more than a little smitten with their beautiful label designs which scream DRINK ME rather than “we don’t care about… fancy packaging”, but we won’t complain if you won’t! Don’t take our punch-drunk word for how great these whiskies are, their reviews speak for themselves, check out Whisky Fun one of our favourite reviewers.

Below you will find our current selection, and feel free to add ‘staff pick’ to every single one of these bad boys!

 THE SELECTION

Dailuaine 18 Year Old, 48.7%

This is one of those estery malts on the nose: kiwi, pear drops and granny smith apples. Spearmint and white pepper on the palate with a soupcon of sweetness. The long finish is minty with poached pears stealing through.
159 bottles produced from a single ex-Bourbon barrel.

£94.95

Glen Keith 22 Year Old, 49.4%

Butter icing, toffee and Victorian sweet shop aromas, leading to toasted oak and caramel on the palate. The finish takes its time with butterscotch and sweet spice notes. Genuinely stunning stuff from an often overlooked lost distillery.
179 bottles produced from a single ex-Bourbon barrel.

£129.95

Caol Ila 19 Year Old, 52.8%

This is Caol Ila at its very best; a salty driftwood bonfire burning on the beach under the setting summer sun. The palate is firm with that classic maritime peat with Kaffir lime leaf lending heady top notes. The finish lingers with notes of charcoal and roasted peach. 226 bottles produced from a single ex-Bourbon barrel.

£129.95

Inchgower, 38 Year Old, 47.3%

The aroma is reminiscent of a cobblestone path through a forest glade. This 38 year old has a distinct minerality, almost mezcal like. Then there is butterscotch, fruit compote, stewed tropical fruit, melon and a hint of aniseed. A finish who’s length complements the malt’s age!
54 bottles produced from a single ex-Bourbon barrel.

£249.95

Glen Elgin 29 Year Old, 45.6%

Delicious rancio aromas and flavours from that long time hanging around in an oak cask. Then there is a youthful hit of active oak, toffee, baked Bramley apples and a touch of a musty old bookshelf (in a good way!).
122 bottles produced from a single ex-Bourbon barrel.

£159.95

Burnside 25 Year Old, 50.9%

Teaspooned Balvenie anyone? This is Balvenie with a tiny amount (literally a teaspoon) of Glenfiddich added so Maltbarn can’t legally call this stuff Balvenie. Waxy at first with a slight hint of burning embers. This is chased by confectionary notes (jelly babies perhaps?). Then there is [Balvenie] honey, burnt raisin, cinnamon and a sprinkling of struck match stick. 167 bottles produced from a single ex-Bourbon barrel.

£125.95

Bunnahabhain 26 Year Old, 49.9%

A quiet West Coast harbour with seaweed drifting on the water. Then there is manuka honey, cloves, cardamom and Maldon sea salt. This whisky couldn’t be more Bunnahabhain if it tried!
121 bottles produced from a single ex-sherry butt.

£129.95

Ledaig 9 Year Old, 48.1%

A younger offering from Maltbarn. Earthy and peaty with a wonderful refreshing quality. The finish is surprisingly delicate considering the youthful nature of this intrepid malt.
141 bottles produced from a single ex-Bourbon barrel.

£69.95

Ben Nevis 16 Year Old, 53.2%

Leafy, minerally notes at first, chased with aromas of a spring meadow. The palate takes on mineral notes of slate, blackberry and a smattering of sea salt. The finish lingers with a herbacious catelogue of oregano and basil.
91 bottles produced from a single ex-Bourbon barrel.

£84.95

angus@milroys.co.uk

Milroy’s of Soho · 3 Greek Street · London, England W1D 4NX · United Kingdom