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| Hello, that is certainly one of our (nearly) every day tastings. Santé! |
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December 13, 2024
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Latest names, some with bravos
Listed here are just a few new names, chosen fully at random… Let’s see what we provide you with.
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Isle of Harris ‘The Hearach First Fill Oloroso Matured’ (46%, OB, 2024) 
After mastering the artwork of their marvellous core batches, the nice of us at Harris have handled us to this full Oloroso expression. A logical step, wouldn’t you say? Color: golden, which is reassuring to see. Nostril: it’s just like the basic Hearach however draped in a layer of darkish chocolate and a drizzle of walnut wine, with a whiff of Italian bitters—Cynar, Amaro, that form of factor. Splendidly carried out right here; it lends a contact of wildness, even a faintly gamey facet (wild boar terrine, if you happen to like). Is there wild boar on Harris? Mouth: the identical sentiments carry by means of. Consider the usual Hearach with an additional serving to of chilli-spiked chocolate and walnut wine. A refined mustardy be aware emerges, at all times underpinned by that saline high quality, and dare I say, it feels much more ‘Fort William’ than its elder sibling. Hints of tar, carbon, motor oil, and a smudge of pencil eraser type of spherical issues out. End: a lot the identical story, with a cracking dryness. Chilli and stout linger within the aftertaste. Feedback: intelligent stuff, this. The Oloroso enhances the distillate fantastically, by no means overstepping its mark. I used to be able to be barely much less impressed—wrongly so, because it seems. Who mentioned, “but once more”?
SGP: 362 – 88 factors. |
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Roseisle 12 yo ‘The Origami Kite 2’ (55.6%, OB, Particular Launch 2024, first fill and refill bourbon) 
We fairly loved the primary version final yr (WF 85). I bear in mind visiting the distillery simply because it was firing up for the primary time—fairly the spectacle. Again then, everybody thought it was a behemoth poised to dominate the scene, nevertheless it appears to have settled right into a quieter position, with Glenfiddich and Glenlivet, amongst others, comfortably outstripping Roseisle’s capability now. Color: gold. Nostril: a beautiful, ‘small’ malt whisky, very nicely crafted, with no tough edges however staying near the basics—barley, sponge cake, ripe banana, cornflakes, hay, nougat, and a touch of delicate ale. With water: a contact of white chocolate joins in, together with Golden Grahams and Fruit Loops. Now my youngsters are grown now, so the exact nuances of these cereals are fading in reminiscence. Mouth (neat): completely pleasant. Easy, however on no account a disadvantage, and with a extra pronounced citrus be aware on the palate. The feel is beautiful—thick and nearly oily. With water: that is the place it really shines, delivering an ideal apple-and-lemon duet. End: pretty lengthy, and in line with the remainder. Feedback: loves a little bit of water, this one. A really, superb malt whisky—balanced and approachable, although maybe not notably distinctive.
SGP: 551 – 86 factors. |
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Arbikie (48%, OB, Highland Rye, single grain, 2024) 
A single-estate whisky, technically a ‘grain’ because it’s not a pure malt, made with a mash invoice of 60% rye, 15% wheat, and 25% malted barley. We discovered the 2022 version fairly difficult (WF 69), however right here we’re once more with a contemporary palate and an open thoughts. Color: gold. Nostril: nicely, right here we go—rustic toasted nation bread, pumpernickel, sprouted seeds, poppy seed loaf, and a contact of grapefruit to tie all of it collectively. A captivating nostril. Mouth: sure, it really works. Nonetheless a bit woody, however the turmeric and ginger notes stand out boldly, giving it an intriguing aged-gin character that’s fairly efficient. As soon as once more, citrus steps in to attempt to harmonise issues and forestall the wooden from dominating the dialog. End: pretty lengthy, contemporary, with citrus, juniper, coriander seed, mustard, and even a touch of radish. Feedback: I feel the sooner batches had a sweetness that’s gone now, and I consider they’ve made actual progress with this rye whisky. Europe is awash with ryes as of late, so it’s solely pure extra Scots are becoming a member of the occasion.
SGP: 550 – 75 factors. |
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Arbikie ‘Artist Version 1’ (46%, OB, Francis Boag Version, single grain, casks #104 + 108 + 114 + 115, 1,200 bottles) 
Made with Concerto barley together with fastidiously chosen wheat and rye, this one has been ‘enhanced’ with Calvados casks, which does detract a bit from the whisky’s ‘native’ character—however hey, it’s a free world, isn’t it? The value is steep (£200), although you do get a restricted version print from the artist to sweeten the deal. Color: gold. Nostril: fantastically contemporary and, surprisingly, simpler and fruitier than the core launch. Notes of hazelnut bread, apricot, and pear mingle with hints of lavender and violet, giving it a distinctly Provençal vibe. The Calvados affect stays refined, however the wooden is a contact extra assertive right here. Mouth: sure, that is good—brightly citrusy and properly spiced, with cumin, rosemary, black radish, and that acquainted juniper-and-coriander duo. There’s additionally a drizzle of honey, including a fragile sweetness. End: pretty lengthy, with a noticeable woodiness. Ginger and cinnamon take the lead, adopted by a agency be aware of bitter orange that dominates the aftertaste. Feedback: I actually like this version. And anyway, it’s at all times value supporting artists in a world that appears more and more… Trumpian.
SGP: 650 – 79 factors. |
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Holyrood (60%, OB, PX hogshead, cask #89, 232 bottles, 2024)
As you could know, Holyrood is all in regards to the yeasts, and this time they’ve used DY379, DY502, and Bollicine wine yeast—the latter being just like champagne yeast, famed for its effectivity and aggressiveness. Enjoyable reality: the final time I distilled honey, I had to make use of champagne yeast because it’s about the one factor that may ferment honey, given how naturally resistant it’s. Consultants say that Bollicine “enhances aromas of the terpenic kind, provides freshness, and provides a lightweight citrus be aware—wonderful for Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio.” Properly, this isn’t Chardonnay—it’s barley. Color: gold. Nostril: Holyrood’s new makes are normally my favourites, however this works nicely sufficient. A great deal of marrons glacés, orange cake, Jaffa cake, pink grapefruit, and fortunately, no hint of Pinot Grigio – naturally. With water: freshly minimize vegetation, flowers in a vase, faint hints of diluted Thai sauce, and a contact of prune. Mouth (neat): fairly a feisty little beast—earthy, a bit aggressive, and leaning in direction of barely acidic components, however at 60%, what else are you able to anticipate? With water: a lot the identical. Overripe plums and strawberries present up. End: it’s nice. Feedback: I’d love to do this in its pure state, with out the marginally clumsy affect of a type of depressing PX casks that appear to have infiltrated all of Scotland, even as much as Orkney. However I’m simply repeating myself, aren’t I?
SGP: 530 – 78 factors. |
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Glasgow Distillery 5 yo 2018/2024 (61.1%, OB, Keeble Cask Firm, Aromatic Drops Assortment, contemporary bourbon barrel, cask #193, 232 bottles)
Color: white wine. Nostril: a cheerful bundle of little sweets and a splash of tutti-frutti eau-de-vie, possible amplified by the sky-high power. With water: nonetheless candy, retaining that gentle, eau-de-vie character. Not fairly as ‘aromatic’ because the identify may recommend, in my humble opinion. Mouth (neat): a lot the identical neat—brimming with little sweets, lemon drops, agave candies (those with the worm inside), and a splash of do-it-yourself limoncello. With water: shifts in direction of easy syrups, inexperienced tea, and natural tisanes, with the faintest whisper of tropical fruits rising from the contemporary barrel. End: not very lengthy however pleasantly fruity. Feedback: a captivating little drop on your hip flask. Good for slipping right into a espresso for a correct Kaffee-Schnaps that also lets the espresso shine. It’s not Bowmore 1964 but, nevertheless it’s totally satisfying and dangerously drinkable.
SGP: 441 – 78 factors. |
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Isle of Harris 5 yo 2018/2024 ‘The Hearach’ (59.7%, OB, single cask, for LMDW Foundations, bourbon ex-Heaven Hill, cask #1789, 247 bottles)
Sure, I do know we’ve already had a Harris right now, however so what? I have to say, it’s fairly dashing to order cask #1789 for France (it’s the Bastille yr, in spite of everything—don’t inform me that’s a coincidence!). Color: white wine. Nostril: the peat feels way more assertive than simply ‘15ppm’. This nostril is extremely smoky, saline, sooty, dry, and filled with ashes—although the excessive ABV may be amplifying issues. With water: basic notes of uncooked wool, chalk, mud, flour, and a contact of brine. Mouth (neat): smoked apple, peppered seawater, and chilli-spiked lemon—it’s all going swimmingly. With water: difficult to dilute, because it appears to falter sharply round 50% ABV for some purpose. That mentioned, at 51%, it’s spot-on, with beautiful inexperienced olives tossed in ‘on the home.’ End: lengthy, saline, and citrusy, nonetheless carrying these inexperienced olives and, consider it or not, a touch of pastis. Feedback: for me, very like with, say Springbank, I nonetheless desire the easier entry-level expression as my go-to. That mentioned, that is wonderful, possibly only a contact demanding to savour correctly.
SGP: 464 – 85 factors. |
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Inchdairnie ‘Finglassie’ 7 yo 2017/2024 ‘Peated’ (57.7%, James Eadie, 2nd fill oloroso end, cask #374468, 125 bottles) 
If everybody begins utilizing 2nd fill casks for finishings, we’re going to agree by default—though it’d all begin feeling a tad convoluted. Color: gold. Nostril: used motor oil, petrol, roasted almonds, charcoal, damp earth, and… equatorial rainforest (wait, what?). With water: steel notes, silver cutlery, free change, outdated copper, and the engine of a classic automotive—virtually steampunk in a glass. Mouth (neat): insane stuff—concentrated pinewood, wild pepper, Bündnerfleisch, and smoked ham cured over resinous logs. Is any of this even authorized? The pepperiness is totally off the charts. With water: add espresso, snuff tobacco, and salted mint chocolate to the combination. Totally bonkers, however in a approach, fairly loveable. Maybe it’s time all of us noticed a therapist—sure, I do know we’ve been saying that for twenty years right here. End: lengthy, mentholated, chocolatey, and smoky. Feedback: I really feel the sensible of us at James Eadie ought to incorporate an instruction handbook with bottles like this. In a number of languages, please—Mandarin, Russian, Alsatian, you identify it. Truthfully, this one defies scoring.
SGP: 375 – (on maintain) factors. |
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