Cask No. 29.166 $140
‘Elementary, my dear Watson’
Islay
This sample presented interesting challenges to our Sherlock noses – we were all over the place, from a hunting lodge (wellies, tweed jackets, rifles, log fire) to an amateur beach bonfire barbeque (jacket potatoes, toasted marshmallows, grilled pork – all slightly overdone). The unreduced palate had ash, wood smoke, peat smoke, singed lime, porridge with brown sugar, caramelised apple and donuts. The reduced nose seemed fresher, with laundry flapping vigorously on a washing-line down-wind of chimney smoke; also sou’westers and pork crackling with apple. The reduced palate re-discovered its sweetness (white jelly babies, icing sugar, vanilla) – but with curious hints of smoked fish.
Drinking tip: A west coast holiday dram – or to provide warmth and calmness on a blustery day.
Colour: Playboy bunny platinum blonde
Cask: Refill barrel
Age: 15 years
Date distilled: July 1999
Alcohol: 51.5%
USA allocation: 120 bottles
Flavour profile: Peated
Cask No. 5.47 $135
Floral perfumes in a Chinese restaurant
Lowland
We found the nose straightforward but attractive, with vanilla, lemon puffs, green apple, rhubarb and chalky sweets (Edinburgh Rock) but one panellist was in a Chinese restaurant (five-spice, fragrant rice, fortune cookies). With water the floral, citric perfumes edged forward and it became more buttery (popcorn, shortbread, caramel). The palate had good viscosity and body, with sweet and tart flavours of stewed rhubarb, gooseberry, plums, red grape Shloer, Haribos and Astro Belts; it even seemed fizzy and lively at times. Water emphasised different aspects – pistachios, almonds and salty bread, with lemon rind, white pepper and aniseed bringing dryness to the finish.
Drinking tip: A pick-me-up or palate cleanser.
Colour: Transparent pine
Cask: Refill hogshead
Age: 14 years
Date distilled: October 2000
Alcohol: 59.8%
USA allocation: 120 bottles
Flavour profile: Sweet, fruity & mellow
Cask No. 13.47 $105
It’s a knockout
Highland, Northern
This was not subtle to start with, in fact, it felt like one of Mike Tyson’s unbelievable knockout punches and after being counted out we were helped back up on to our feet. As we slowly recovered we could smell the aromas from the ringside seats of toffee caramels, sweet and salty buttered popcorn and monkey peanuts. The taste was initially a spicy hot dog but then, sweeter flavours of strawberries with molasses sour cream sauce emerged. Water brought out boozy orange caramel pancakes with crispy bacon and in the finish, clootie dumplings with Drambuie custard – one for the real grown-ups!
Drinking tip: Preparing for something big
Colour: Sunflower oil
Cask: Refill barrel
Age: 10 years
Date distilled: May 2005
Alcohol: 59.3%
USA allocation: 90 bottles
Flavour profile: Spicy & sweet
Cask No. 54.34 $100
Monkey’s Lunch
Speyside, Spey
This was a dancing dram for each time we got back it had changed. Aromas spread from sharp grapefruit slices, lemon sherbet and lime soda to tropical sorbet, marzipan fruits, vanilla pods and banana marshmallows. Sharp and citric without being bitter on the palate neat like freshly squeezed grapefruit juice and hot cinnamon bagels sprinkled with cayenne pepper combined with the dry, briny finish of a Manzanilla Sherry. With water, a delicious adult milkshake called Monkey’s Lunch; Kahlua, fresh bananas and vanilla ice-cream. Whilst in the taste now surprisingly creamy, sweet and salty like that of a salted caramel crème brûlée.
Drinking tip: Afternoon in the garden
Colour: Mellow yellow
Cask: Refill barrel
Age: 9 years
Date distilled: October 2005
Alcohol: 59.8%
USA allocation: 120 bottles
Flavour profile: Young & spritely
Cask No. 58.17 $105
“Not shaken, not stirred”
Speyside, Deveron
We all stepped into an old fashioned sweet shop; plenty of dust but the floor was recently spring cleaned with bleaching powder and chlorinated lime. When we left we strangely bought pancetta, prosciutto, freshly grounded coffee and Amontillado Sherry. The taste neat was like an erupting volcano with the lava flowing into the sea and causing a sizzling hot spray – exhilarating! Water calmed the scene and fruity aromas of apples, pears, plums and grapes appeared out of nowhere with the refreshing sparkle of a white grape and raspberry juice on the palate and a perfect Martini in the finish.
Drinking tip: In a moment of exhilaration
Colour: White swan feathers
Cask: Refill barrel
Age: 10 years
Date distilled: April 2005
Alcohol: 60.4%
USA allocation: 102 bottles
Flavour profile: Spicy & dry
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