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| Hello, that is one among our (virtually) each day tastings. Santé! |
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October 29, 2024
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A couple of extra whiskies from
around the globe
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This time, we’re sticking to custom and beginning in France.
Armorik’s pair of correct pot stills, constructed 1993 (Armorik)
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Armorik 12 yo 2012/2024 ‘Sherry Cask’ (56%, OB, LMDW, oloroso sherry butt, cask #3868, 310 bottles) 
Armorik, or Warenghem if we’re being exact, is a type of French (sorry, Breton) distilleries that appear to have made their mark overseas with exceptional ease. To be honest, they’ve prevented dabbling within the bizarre or the unlikely—no weird stills or dodgy wine casks right here. Merely put, they’ve stored issues pleasingly traditional. Color: darkish amber. Nostril: very a lot within the traditional vein, with walnut cake, darkish nougat, toffee, mocha, and cocoa. With water: a great deal of chocolate and a contact of immediate espresso. Since Nestlé nonetheless hasn’t despatched over that promised cheque (not to mention any bitcoins), we’ll cease mentioning their manufacturers right here. Mouth (neat): it’s simply excellent. Brings to thoughts a sure beast from Dufftown, with black pepper, juniper, dried meats, a healthy dose of tobacco, dried mushrooms, and naturally, previous walnuts. With water: it edges in direction of pure oloroso, however with a faint ‘cream’ side—so barely sweeter. A couple of raisins as properly. End: lengthy, very sherried, excellent. Feedback: primarily traditional, quintessentially good.
SGP:551 – 88 factors. |
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Lot 40 ‘Darkish Oak’ (48%, OB, Canada, Rye whisky, +/-2024) 
I definitely wouldn’t need to upset my Canadian pals, and even much less so pricey Davin, however for fairly a while, the usual Lot 40 was thought-about the principle Canadian whisky actually price its salt. Now, that’s to not say issues haven’t modified… Color: full gold. Nostril: it’s like an ideal mix of maple syrup (how predictable!) and polish, with chocolate toffee and wealthy, darkish earth. Very interesting certainly. Mouth: I’ve no thought what this ‘darkish oak’ is precisely (although I suppose we may look it up), however we completely love this mixture of juniper and molasses. Throw in a handful of Werther’s Originals, some coriander seeds, demerara sugar, chocolate cake, and a mountain of all types of nuts, every roasted to perfection. End: lengthy, chocolaty, spicy, and earthy, with hints of lavender and liquorice lingering within the aftertaste. Feedback: there’s a little bit of a ‘an excessive amount of’ high quality right here that we moderately get pleasure from, although it is probably not for the purists. In brief, undoubtedly not a boring whisky.
SGP:651 – 86 factors. |
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And now, we’ll… Nicely, the place are we going?
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Sangam ‘World Malt Whisky’ (43%, OB, Rampur, 2024) 
Ah, the acquainted notion of a ‘world’ malt, although this time hailing from India. Not fully positive what’s within the mix, however Rampur’s probably taking part in a component, and that’s no unhealthy factor since Rampur’s at all times moderately good. Color: gold. Nostril: a pleasant mixture of barley, honey, apple compote, and a contact of one thing like pancake syrup. Mouth: very a lot a delightful, easy-going malt, paying homage to these approachable entry-level Macallans, Glenlivets, or Glenfiddichs. Nothing right here to grouse about, actually. End: fairly good, although it does really feel a tad delicate in direction of the tip, with tea-like notes and a little bit of molasses honey and apple juice lingering within the aftertaste. Feedback: a genuinely gratifying dram from… from the place? I’m glad they haven’t shipped and bottled it in Japan, then known as it ‘Japanese whisky’.
SGP:531 – 80 factors. |
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Millstone 5 yo 2019/2024 ‘Particular No. 31’ (46%, OB, Netherlands, Palo Cortado Peated, 2,365 bottles)
Do we actually have to repeat all of the reward we’ve showered upon Millstone? Actually, every little thing about this one sounds a bit inconceivable, however that’s already half of the enjoyable, isn’t it? Color: pale gold. Nostril: it’s as if you happen to’ve simply caught your head into an previous coal range after spritzing your self with lemon juice. Caraway and poppy seed bread, a contact of Dutch-style pipe tobacco (naturally), and a waft of seaweed, possibly some driftwood too. Mouth: actually weird, however sensible. A medley of smokes and ashes from all types of origins – coal, peat, fir wooden, tobacco, that grass – and a curious mixture of grapefruit juice, inexperienced apples, and coriander leaves. It’s actually fairly odd, but it surely all comes collectively so coherently in the long run. End: lengthy and fantastic, with lemon-drenched ashes and slightly cumin kicking in proper on the end. Feedback: not fairly as loco because it first appears. We’re big followers of those whiskies which are something however boring. Proper, or delicate.
SGP:565 – 89 factors. |
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Let’s head slightly additional south, the place there are additionally stunning issues to see…
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Filliers ‘Cask Power’ (58.5%, OB, Belgium, PX, 2024)
Whereas Pedro Ximénez is probably not notably Belgian, the spirit behind this dram is pure and decided. That stated, maybe it’s time to softly remind all of the sensible distillers worldwide that not each whisky wants a dose of PX to be wonderful. Color: darkish amber. Nostril: closely leaning on chocolate, rum, and raisins, with a lightweight floral trace of geranium. With water: earthy tones come ahead, rye, moss, chocolate, masala, and a contact of clove. Mouth (neat): daring and strong, with orange peel, black pepper, wooden, and even a flash of chilli warmth. There’s additionally a little bit of juniper in there, no shock as Filliers are famend genever distillers in spite of everything. With water: splendidly earthy, which I at all times love. It dries issues out a tad, however in a method I discover most gratifying. End: lengthy, turning extra floral and spicy. A touch of black tea, saffron maybe, and a salty edge lingering on the aftertaste. Cumin. Feedback: actually wonderful, although maybe not fairly for pairing with shrimp croquettes (simply joking!). What it does supply, although, is an actual sense of place, which I believe is one thing moderately valuable.
SGP:561 – 86 factors. |
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So long as we’re over there…
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Stauning ‘Host’ (40.5%, OB, Denmark, 2024)
It says ‘Clean & Delicate’—properly, what’s that about then? Appears to be a 50/50 break up of malted barley and rye, aged in a mixture of American virgin oak, ex-Bourbon, and ex-Port casks. We reckon, hopefully, this might work. Color: gold. Nostril: very mild, however not disagreeable, moderately like an natural tea. May even name it a breakfast whisky. Contemporary bread, light fennel, caraway seeds, and a contact of spice… Mouth: it’s good, not even too weak. There’s bread and spices aplenty, but it surely tends to nod off after thirty seconds or so, turning into a bit drying. End: pretty quick, although properly bread-forward. Feedback: It’s from a Diageo-backed distillery, in order that they clearly know what they’re as much as, and it’s actually not unhealthy in any respect. Only a pity concerning the ABV—maybe a typo crept in someplace throughout manufacturing? At 46%, it may’ve been slightly gem.
SGP:441 – 81 factors. |
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Cardrona ‘The Falcon’ (52%, OB, New Zealand, 2023)
Now then, this one’s a bit difficult—a mixture of an ex-Oloroso butt stuffed in 2016, an ex-Bourbon barrel additionally stuffed that yr, and a Pinot Noir cask (in the event that they actually should) stuffed in 2018, all married and bottled in 2023. Fairly the concoction, however we do like what Cardrona’s doing down there on the different finish of the world. That stated, it’s moderately dear in Europe (£170), so maybe this can be a idea that won’t final. Color: gold. Nostril: not immensely expressive, with contemporary bread and a little bit of ash. With water: not rather more, actually. A touch of cherry stalk tea. Mouth (neat): it’s good, with baked cherries and toasted bread, although I don’t suppose the Pinot Noir provides a lot. With water: properly spiced, with a little bit of blood orange and clove, whereas the Oloroso begins to point out itself with some walnut and leather-based notes. End: pretty lengthy however not very exact. Nonetheless that cherry stalk tea. Feedback: to be fully sincere, regardless of my fondness for Cardrona, I don’t see a lot sense in importing an excellent however possibly not completely distinctive whisky like this all the way in which to Europe or the US in world3.0. Maybe our pals in Australia or NZ ought to get pleasure from it before everything. Until they begin ending it in manuka honey casks, in fact…
SGP:451 – 80 factors. |
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