We had a primary have a look at among the bottlings from Fruitful Spirits again in November 2023. They had been the primary to introduce us to Bonnington distillery as an illustration.
Now we’ll examine three new releases: a well-matured (refill) Glenrothes 1996, a primary fill Glen Garioch 2011 and a closely sherried Cigar Malt 2010. We will rule out The Dalmore, since that is apparently a Speyside single malt.
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Glenrothes 28 yo 1996 (51,6%, Fruitful Spirits 2024, refill hogshead #704845, 72 btl.)
Nostril: properly fragrant, with hints of sunscreen and material softeners. Then good waxy notes, lime cordial, unripe oranges, peaches and white grapes. A whiff of marshmallow and honey. Additionally sunflower oil, grist, mild toffee and muesli.
Mouth: evenly tropical fruits (pineapple) with citrus zest and loads of oak polish. Malty notes with honey. Then it will get a little bit woody (resinous pine) and inexperienced, with a delicate acerbity. Nonetheless a bit perfumy. Then additionally oolong tea in the direction of the tip.
End: lengthy, darker now, w ith hints of chocolate, liquorice, clove and spicy oak.
Entertaining whisky, just about consistent with that quirky sister cask I attempted from The Malt Universe. This one is a little more traditional, nevertheless it shares the identical type of perfumed woody facet. Exhausting to attain. At the moment availalable from Milroy’s.
Glen Garioch 13 yo 2011 (51,2%, Fruitful Spirits 2024, first fill bourbon barrel #2072, 237 btl.)
Nostril: crisp orchard fruits. Unripe pears, with hints of heather and grass, in addition to a pleasant dustiness (grist and sesame oil) and a few fatty notes. Bare barley. Then sliced apples, lemony notes and ginger.
Mouth: good weight once more, though the profile is extraordinarily pure, with extra of those gristy and zesty parts, together with chalky notes and gravel. Tea biscuits, lemon juice, apples and delicate barley sugars. Crisp ginger and a slight peppery spike, with a minty wave ultimately.
End: medium lengthy, clear and zesty, with inexperienced apple and a faint caramel be aware on high.
The fatty texture stands out right here, particularly because it’s an in any other case pretty bare whisky. Possibly not for inexperienced persons, however I like this choice. Nonetheless obtainable from Grasp of Malt as an illustration. Rating: 87/100
The Cigar Malt 14 yo 2010 (53,4%, Fruitful Spirits 2024, first fill Pedro Ximénez sherry hogshead #645, 252 btl.)
Nostril: wealthy and clear sherry, with a extremely good candy and bitter stability. Filled with raisins, prunes, pink berries, Mars bars, chocolate cake, brioche and toffee. Mild citrusy sparkles. Then a little bit tobacco, hints of wealthy armagnac and a whiff of potting soil within the distance.
Mouth: similar candy and juicy type, albeit a tad darker. Soaked raisins, toffee and treacle, redcurrants and caramelized apples. Tobacco notes with earthy touches. Then some bitter spices, gingerbread and lightweight leathery notes, in addition to delicate hints of wooden char.
End: medium lengthy, on chocolate coated raisins, toffee and roasted nuts.
This could work very well alongside a cigar certainly. Loads of sweetness from the Pedro Ximénez, however I additionally just like the juicy sourness that accompanies it. A terrific cask. Rating: 88/100
