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| Hello, that is certainly one of our (virtually) each day tastings. Santé! |
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October 23, 2024
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A number of whiskies from world wide, from China to France
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Many nations have gotten much less and fewer ‘area of interest’, whereas the brand new Chinese language malts—not less than the few we have already had the prospect to style—are beginning to overturn the nation’s repute for spirits of this sort. Gone are the times when all we might discover in China, by way of native whisky manufacturing, was ‘Pink Labial’, ‘Chivelse Royal’, or the notorious ‘Johns Daphne Tenderness Whiskey’, dressed up precisely like Jack.
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Domaine des Hautes-Glaces within the French Alps (DHG) |
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Daiking ‘Traditional Single Malt’ (40%, OB, China, bourbon cask, +/-2024) 
From Pinghe county in Zhangzhou, southeastern China (Fujian). Having began distilling in 2016, Daiking has already added two extra nonetheless homes. Their first single malt, powered by pure mountain water, a medal from the World Whisky Awards (after all), and Forsyths stills, was launched in 2020. That is their entry-level expression. Color: white wine. Nostril: it’s fairly good, gentle, with notes of bread, baker’s yeast, clay, and mushy honey, together with apple juice, a contact of ginger, and cinnamon. Actually recognize that it hasn’t been overly dressed up utilizing fanciful casks. Mouth: equally gentle, with barley, apple, and a bit extra wooden than on the nostril. There are additionally some assorted fruit peels (melon maybe). End: medium however moderately nice. Apple and cinnamon. Feedback: completely faultless, you’re considerably in excellent Scottish mix territory. A number of extra levels of alcohol would most likely do it a world of fine.
SGP: 441 – 78 factors. |
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Daiking ‘Distillery Choose’ (43%, OB, China, single malt, bourbon cask, +/-2024) 
And right here’s a model with a bit extra horsepower… By the way in which, no caramel is added to Daiking’s malts. Color: pale gold. Nostril: it’s very shut, extraordinarily near the Traditional. Mouth: it actually seems like the identical juice with a number of extra watts, however there’s additionally a contact extra acidity, with inexperienced apple, lemon, and uncooked rhubarb. Nothing to complain about right here, it’s clearly – and surprisingly – good. Definitely not a whisky for AliExpress! End: moderately lengthy, with pretty spices, nonetheless cinnamon and ginger, however now with a little bit of turmeric as properly. I might even point out ginseng, however which may simply be my mind taking part in tips on me. Feedback: positively not a ‘vacationer’ malt, if what I imply. Fairly, fairly good.
SGP: 441 – 80 factors. |
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Daiking ‘Distillery Choose Inexperienced Model’ (46%, OB, China, single malt, bourbon cask, +/-2024)
Properly, would you take a look at that, there’s even a 46% model. If that’s really the case, it’s fairly amusing to see them providing related whiskies at totally different strengths, very similar to the Scots used to do a very long time in the past… 70, 80, 100° proof, and so forth. Color: straw. Nostril: the bourbon cask reveals itself extra right here, with the same old vanilla alongside hints of banana and mango, however the contemporary bread, sourdough, apple, and honey are nonetheless current. Mouth: extra spice-driven, and truthfully, I’m undecided it’s precisely the identical juice in any case. There’s extra inexperienced tannin and lemon zest, however every part stays very cohesive. It’s barely harking back to current ex-US oak expressions from the tall stills of Tain (not Tain l’Hermitage, thoughts you). End: moderately lengthy, pretty, with a slight contact of varnish, extra apples, inexperienced pepper, and unripe bananas. Feedback: it appears to be crafted with the utmost care. I believe you can idiot fairly a number of individuals in a blind tasting—simply must work on the age statements.
SGP: 551 – 82 factors. |
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We’ve got different Daikings (please be aware, it isn’t ‘Daikin’), however we can have them quickly.
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Goalong ‘Small Batch #5’ (48%, OB, China, 2023)
We had tried certainly one of Hunan’s Goalong at 40% a number of months in the past and located it moderately respectable (WF 75). Color: white wine. Nostril: very subdued, with notes of tapioca, polenta, white beer, then shortbread and plain English white bread. A number of faint touches of fennel or dill, however in any other case, it stays fairly restrained by way of aromas. Mouth: a bit too woody, which is a disgrace, however there are additionally nice hints of Williams pear. As soon as once more, a little bit of ginger and even a contact of ginseng (sure, actually). End: lengthy, with lemony spices. Feedback: it might match properly among the many crowd of recent malt whiskies from everywhere in the world, giving it a barely ‘worldwide’ really feel. Very like the Daikings, actually. It’s well-made with no apparent flaws.
SGP: 551 – 78 factors. |
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Ki.One (46%, OB, Korea, virgin American oak, +/-2024) 
The second Korean distillery we’ll have tried after the excellent little Kimchangsoos. The distillery itself is nestled simply exterior Seoul. Color: gold. Nostril: with virgin oak, it’s all the time tough to discern a lot in the way in which of ‘terroir’—or maybe it’s the oak’s personal terroir at play—however this pretty charred, banana-forward profile actually hits the spot. There’s a little bit of white chocolate, vanilla custard, nougat, and a medley of papayas and ripe apples too. Mouth: a tad extra ‘out of the field’ (vive la différence!) with notes of blood orange, toffee apples, and some creamy liqueurs. Let’s name it a Korean banana liqueur—ought to our pals ever make such a factor. End: medium in size, candy and clear, showcasing traditional virgin oak traits with these fruits lingering alongside a touch of chocolate and a delicate contact of masala. Feedback: excellent certainly, a bit worldwide in model, but once more, however in probably the most flattering means. That’s the magic of virgin oak, I suppose.
SGP:641 – 83 factors. |
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Outdated Bakery Whisky 8 yo (47.2%, OB, England, London Malt Whisky, completed in Cuban rum barrels, +/-2024) 
A enjoyable bottle from a distillery with infectious enthusiasm (in one of the best ways!). Additionally they make gin, however then once more, who doesn’t lately? Color: straw. Nostril: there’s a beautiful freshness right here with notes of heat bread, hints of white asparagus, and tiny bananas (Cuban, naturally), adopted by wafts of cornflour and greengages. The retro-style packaging feels completely in tune with this barely old-school nostril. You’ll discover delicate rum touches within the background too (assume diesel, molasses). Mouth: fuller-bodied, with a extra trendy twist and a contact of spice. Satay, paprika, and even a little bit of brass (let’s say outdated trouser buttons—why not?), alongside a chalky be aware and cinnamon apples. There’s additionally a nod to North African candy bread and amlou (a heavenly mixture of Atlas honey, argan oil, and crushed almonds—one-third of every, it’s elegant). End: the amlou and satay sauce maintain doing their factor. The aftertaste is gorgeously honeyed with a contact of mocha. Feedback: there’s a slight woodiness proper on the finish, however general, it has that charming, barely artisanal really feel that makes these smaller whiskies so pleasant. And London, child.
SGP:561 – 86 factors. |
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Oh, drat, we forgot to begin from little France, as we all the time do. By no means thoughts, we’ll end with one of many French stars…
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Domaine des Hautes-Glaces 2016/2024 ‘Epistémé’ (44%, OB, France, single monitor #B16D24+purple sq.) 
The code suggests that is barley, distilled in 2016, with the ‘D’ seemingly linked to levels of some kind (not totally clear), and bottled in 2024. The purple sq.? No clue, I may need forgotten what meaning. However all of this provides a little bit of allure, and I do prefer it when whiskies retain a way of thriller. Color: gentle gold. Nostril: properly, the difficulty is, we’re fairly smitten with Domaine des Hautes-Glaces, so maybe we’re a tad biased. Is that an issue, physician? This nostril is solely elegant—it’s like stepping right into a bakery at half 4 within the morning, with a glass of tremendous white Jura or Loire in hand. Say a glass of every. There’s additionally the faintest contact of Muscat and sultanas, alongside freshly baked croissants and sourdough bread. It’s a powerful nostril, with a freshness that’s totally invigorating. Mouth: earthy, with hints of fermenting fruits, a contact of root greens (parsnips, maybe?), and fruity, freshly baked bread. Pretty raisins, although I’ve no concept the place they’ve come from—maybe the casks? End: elegantly lengthy, with a whisper of ash and African spices. Fenugreek and capers, perhaps? Feedback: completely top-decile among the many younger ‘single’ whiskies of continental Europe. Oh, and together with the islands too. A high-fashion whisky—if it ages for 20 years, it’ll hit 92 factors, assured (if I’ll say so—and if any of it’s left).
SGP:551 – 90 factors. |
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