Scotch Malt Whisky Society of Canada February Outturn “LEAP INT FLAVOUR” – Scotch Whisky News
It’s a leap year which means there’s one extra day to indulge in your favourite drams. Happily we have seven new ones to choose from, so suit up and blast off into fabulous flavours!
CASK No. 112.10 A COMFORTING HUG IN A MUG
14 years old; refill barrel; 57.4%; Juicy, oak & vanilla
The nose balances sweetness (golden syrup, fudge) with vanilla and cereals – hints of cleaning cupboards disappear with water, leaving juicy tropical pleasures. The neat palate is lively and feisty – reduced it has delicious and comforting vanilla, marshmallows, strawberries and white chocolate.
CASK No. 1.196 SUNSHINE, MOTHERHOOD AND APPLE PIE
13 years old; 1st fill barrel; 57.2%; Sweet, fruity & mellow
The sweet, fruity nose (Turkish Delight, sherbet lemons, red lips, apples and pears) takes you to orchards and gardens. The palate is all sunshine, motherhood and apple pie – tart apple, sweet lollipop stick wood and Victoria sponge cake – easy and indulgent.
CASK No. 64.65 BITTER-SWEET AS LOST LOVE
14 years old; 1st fill barrel; 60.3%; Sweet, fruity & mellow
The nose offers salivating sweetness (toffee, marshmallows, Crunchie bars, maple syrup on ice-cream) and exotic fruits, which develop nicely with water. The bitter-sweet palate has lively, juicy fruits (kumquat, sherbet lemons, Caribbean punch), balsamic glaze, cinnamon, pickled ginger, vanilla and oak.
CASK No. 35.138 MISS AMERICAN PIE
20 years old; 1st fill toasted oak hogshead; 56.4%; Spicy & sweet
Cinnamon syrup over macaroons, liquorice, eucalyptus and American rye. Could music save their mortal souls from gingerbread laced with aniseed? Hints of dampened down bushfire smouldering with sweet perfume. Creamy coffee with orange zest on the day the music died.
15 years old; refill hogshead; 57.8%; Lightly peated
The nose has buttery cake mix, ginger biscuits, toasted tea-cakes and jam – but wait! – peat, wood-burning stoves and cockles in brine? The palate is smooth and sweet – but also peaty, salty, ashy and metallic – cooking burgers on a steam train shovel.
CASK No. 4.211 SUN, SAND, SURF AND SERENITY
24 years old; refill hogshead; 52.2%; Oily & coastal
Personality and character on the nose neat as well as on the palate. Aromas of barbecued langoustines, tarry ropes and ‘salty dog’ were followed by flavours of scallops wrapped in crispy pancetta whilst diluted a teasing perfumed smoke was released.
CASK No. 53.227 SWEET, SALTY AND SMOKY
18 years old; refill hogshead; 56.8%; Peated
Aromas of honeyed pork loin with lavender relish and mincemeat pie whilst the taste was that of broiled tuna steak. Water added a pork cutlet with a maple chipotle glaze and what seemed like a never-ending peat smoke/salty combo finish.
