Listed below are a number of the newest releases from Minimize Your Wolf Unfastened, the label from founder Seb Woolf. There are three single malts from Tomatin, Arran and Bruichladdich distillery, however we begin with a Blended Malt.
This mix has been made up of two epic Speyside distilleries. We expect we’ve picked up clues that time in the direction of Balmenach and Glenglassaugh, however we may very well be incorrect right here. There’s additionally one highland distillery within the combine, together with an Islay malt, all whacked into an Oloroso sherry butt.
Blended Malt 6 yo 2017 (51,6%, Minimize Your Wolf Unfastened 2023, Oloroso sherry butt, 333 btl.)
Nostril: the peated part is kind of apparent. There’s heat smoke with a coastal footprint. Some roasted tonka beans, sooty exhaust smoke and hints of seaweed. Creamy vanilla within the background, in addition to some peaches.
Mouth: salty peat, with extra smoked fruit alongside tarry notes and a barely soiled trace. Deeply sooty in any case, may this be Staoisha or a extra established title? Then some darkish chocolate and hints of espresso, with soy sauce and a few candied ginger.
End: medium size, with extra chocolate coated nuts, black pepper
Whereas nonetheless younger, this already provides loads. I’m unsure why they insist on including three different distilleries for the reason that Islay part outclasses all of them. Total near a sherry completed Islay whisky with a extra engaging worth. Accessible from Minimize Your Wolf Unfastened or retailers like TyndrumWhisky or Grasp of Malt as an illustration.
Arran 10 yo 2014 (58,6%, Minimize Your Wolf Unfastened 2024, first fill bourbon barrel, 119 btl.)
Nostril: it’s bought that marzipan-like trace of a glue stick, with creamy porridge and hints of ripe gooseberries. Then some floral notes, perhaps daffodils. Some coconut rum too, with a boozy contact of pineapple schnapps. It develops some uncooked, recent wooden shavings as nicely.
Mouth: nonetheless a bit tough across the edges, with that woody word, cider apples and an enormous dose of uncooked cereals. Grassy, calmly bitter hints come out, citrus zest and white pepper. Fairly large. Then inexperienced fruits, unripe peaches and a touch of custard make it rounder once more, particularly after including a drop of water.
End: fairly lengthy, minty and peppery, with sappy accents and white flowers.
Fairly a punchy younger Arran. I’m unsure this was the correct age to bottle it, but it surely does present plenty of freshness and some actually attention-grabbing notes. Accessible from CYWL. Rating: 84/100
Tomatin 7 yo 2016 (59,4%, Minimize Your Wolf Unfastened 2024, refill hogshead, 262 btl.)
Nostril: after a fast vegetal trace, it turns into fruitier. Inexperienced apples, floral honey, hints of mead and gooseberries. Then a freshly mown garden and lightweight vanilla. Strikes a pleasant steadiness.
Mouth: malty beer, with an enormous mashy aspect. Candy lemons, some chalky touches, barks and white pepper. Orchard fruits with inexperienced bananas and grapefruit. A lightweight yeasty word too, giving it a moderately cumbersome profile.
End: not too lengthy, nonetheless mashy, with a touch of latte and a few earthy hints.
Very mashy, with a cumbersome aspect that I’m not very keen on. When you’re a beer lover although, this may very well be up your alley. Accessible from CYWL or Grasp of Malt as an illustration. Rating: 81/100
Bruichladdich 14 yo 2008 (62%, Minimize Your Wolf Unfastened 2023, first fill bourbon barrel, 234 btl.)
Nostril: a fairly traditional Laddie. Citrus notes with mineral oils, white pepper and delicate sea spray. Crushed sea shells. Then a seductive floral word, earlier than it returns to sheep wool, moist rocks and plasters. Creamy and sharp on the similar time.
Mouth: highly effective, nonetheless exhibiting this coastal edge, with wooden spice and grapefruits, together with (burnt) peaches. Mid-palate it will get fairly salty, with hints of liquorice and hay. White pepper and lanolin earlier than it ends on citrus zests and floral notes, in addition to some natural bitters.
End: medium size, with extra natural drops, citrus and salt.
Good one – extra characterful than those earlier than. The coastal salinity is an actual asset right here. Accessible from CYWL. Rating: 88/100
