Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 333: Compass Box Transistor
Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky vlogger, enjoys a Boilermaker! BrewDog is an innovative, rebellious brewery in Scotland since 2007. They even have a bar in Brussels by now. They asked three whisky producers to create a whisky for a boilermaker. That’s the combination of whisky and beer – side by side. Duncan Taylor gave them Skeleton Key, the Dutch Zuidam delivered a 100% rye whisky Torpedo Tulip and Compass Box came up with this Transistor. It is created to be savored alongside the Punk IPA from BrewDog. The whisky is a blend of Cameronbridge grain with the following malts: Linkwood, Teaninich, Dailuaine and Clynelish. Parts of the whisky were matured on French oak from the Vosges.
Whisky and Art collide on this weeks episode of the Good Dram Show youtu.be/ibL5l6kOHKU featuring the inaugural releases from Distillers Art Ltd.
A distinct, regional classic. A whisky that melds a few different styles, culminating in what is highly considered to be the best distillery in Scotland…people aren’t wrong about that, but we all know that there are a lot of contenders. Springbank 10YO – A fruity smokescreen of a liquid, shrouded in the joy and mystery of a family owned, limited release, small allocation facility. a true joy.
Waterford Bannow Island 1.1
A different cask structure:
– 35% 1st fill American Oak
– 20% Virgin Oak
– 25% Premium French Oak
– 20% Deux Natural (Oloroso)
When I first opened this, it didn’t hit me as quickly as Ballykilcavan. This was more subtle, not as directly sweet and that seemed to throw me off. However, after being open for a while, it almost has a style of flavour that reaches out of whisky and almost into Champagne territory.
The terroir debate still rages amongst drinkers, reviewers and creators – I’m still torn. Seeing the distillery will no doubt sway me towards the idea, distilleries are always a magical way to fall in love with a companies processes. However, may basic knowledge of distillation makes me believe that those subtle and very delicate barley styles will be ultimately lost in the very intense environment of whisky distillation.
I may be torn, how about all of you?
This weeks episode of the show is all about whisky and art. I’ll be tasting the inaugural releases from the Distillers Art Ltd in their Spirit of Art range.
ralfy review 839 Extras – The innovation of disclosure.
