We already reviewed the Pasquet Lot 70 cognac from the newest Maltbarn batch, however clearly there was some good whisky to find as nicely. Time to find an Auchentoshan 2007, Jura 2014 and Bruichladdich 2003.
Auchentoshan 17 yo 2007 (54,1%, Maltbarn 2024, sherry cask, 172 btl.)
Nostril: candy oranges at first, with hints of creamy donut and lemon sweet. Then nectarines and biscuits, together with sultanas. There’s a lightweight yeasty aspect, in addition to a greener, somewhat grassy or natural edge. A seductive profile.
Mouth: an identical sweetness, partly fruity (apricot, orange, plum and lemon cake) but in addition pastry-like (buttery oak, custard). Then gingery notes and a few white pepper, bringing a lightweight warming warmth beneath, in addition to an Irish pot nonetheless aspect at occasions.
End: pretty lengthy, with the identical mixture of fruits, vanilla and wealthy oak spice.
A lot richer than a lot of the Auchentoshans we usually come throughout. The fruitiness and spherical pastry character makes it unimaginable to dislike and nearly too straightforward to drink. Just like the others, nonetheless accessible from Maltbarn direct.
Isle of Jura 10 yo 2014 (55,6%, Maltbarn 2024, bourbon cask, 263 btl.)
Nostril: somewhat bare, which is nice. Good fruity notes (inexperienced banana, apple, yellow plum) together with gristy notes, lamp oil, paraffin and gravel. Delicate blossomy notes. Then distant leafy notes and a touch of latest leather-based.
Mouth: nonetheless a brilliant fruity layer (lemon, lemon oils and inexperienced apples) with a beer-like high quality, in addition to recent herbs. Then extra of those waxy notes, faint mustard, a bit of white pepper and a agency coastal aspect. Biscuit dough beneath. Nice austerity, nearly a Campbeltown profile at occasions.
End: lengthy, with a agency salinity, together with marmalade and lemon zest, a bit of oak and cake.
A very good Auchentoshan AND Jura – this should be our fortunate day. Critically, a younger however very characterful Jura whisky, nonetheless reasonably priced and a step up from the official bottlings. Rating: 88/100
Bruichladdich 21 yo 2003 (50,5%, Maltbarn 2024, bourbon cask, 161 btl.)
Nostril: it’s obtained this good waxy / chalky contact together with gooseberries and hints of melons. Hints of almonds, barley sugars and a faint milky be aware. Then gentle heather and a few vaguely farmy touches, arduous to explain however it jogs my memory of Port Charlotte, sans peat. Not extraordinarily complicated however actually good nonetheless.
Mouth: nice waxy profile once more, together with a barely extra tropical fruitiness. Assume bananas and yellow apples, mangoes, along with custard cream, melons and pink grapefruits. Additionally sage, lemon balm and delicate leafy notes. Almonds and a lightweight, grassy austerity in direction of the tip.
End: lengthy, barely greener and bittersweet, with baking spice and inexperienced tea, in addition to some rounder vanilla within the distance.
I’ve grow to be fairly fond of those early 2000s Laddies. I believe they share just a few very good components with these pretty Ben Nevis 1995-1996 bottlings, albeit with just a few distinctive touches. Definitely a really stable line-up at this time. Rating: 89/100
