There was a delay within the evaluations of the most recent batch of Whisky Jury bottlings, however we’re set to go. 4 rums will likely be featured in an upcoming session, however we’ll begin with two attention-grabbing single malts: a Glen Keith 1992 (refined sherry) and a extra closely sherried Ben Nevis 1997.
It’s been some time since we had Glen Keith. This 12 months there was the Misplaced In Time launch and now this Whisky Jury bottling. It’s unique to the Asian market.
Glen Keith 1992 (42,3%, The Whisky Jury for Asia 2024, sherry cask #21728, 172 btl.)
Nostril: properly fruity, with basic yellow apples and tangerine but additionally papayas and banana cake. Then some spearmint and beautiful waxy notes, honey and dried wildflowers. Some vanilla biscuits, mirabelles, together with candied ginger and a gentle spiciness within the distance. Underlying minerals. Very nice.
Mouth: nice mixture of creamy notes (peach, honey) with brighter fruits (ardour fruit, lime). Then vanilla, minty notes, lemon liqueur and a touch of contemporary oak. Banana skins and only a good trace of barley. Additionally hints of pollen and nut oil, nonetheless exhibiting a pleasant waxiness as properly.
End: lengthy and fruity, with vanilla and floral notes, now additionally bringing alongside a touch of coconut and pine oil.
A really tasty and fruity Speyside whisky. Whereas these casks was even fruitier after they have been bottled ten years in the past, they’re now exhibiting quite a lot of smaller notes that make them extra complicated. Actually good.
Ben Nevis 1997 (46,5%, The Whisky Jury 2024, sherry cask, 187 btl.)
Nostril: bitter berries up entrance, at all times a very good signal. Then this typical leafy earthiness, with somme dunnage notes and lightweight concrete mud. Again to pink grapefruits. Some natural tea. A whiff of thuja oil and leather-based within the background. Very nice.
Mouth: a tad funky at first, in a great way. It’s not a tropical fruit bomb however there are reasonably Irish hints of pink grapefruit and blood orange. Good chalky notes, one thing vaguely smoky even. Then tobacco comes out, with a little bit pepper and extra leafy notes.
End: lengthy, barely natural and dry, even a little bit salty, with the fruity sourness behind it.
I’m usually not the largest fan of Ben Nevis from sherry casks. Nonetheless this is among the nicest 1997s I’ve had. Rating: 91/10
