Edrington mixing shares have been round for a few years now. They received on my radar in 2016 they usually have been quickly rumoured to be malt bases, pre-destined to grow to be a premium mix in some unspecified time in the future however offloaded attributable to a change of enterprise plans.
David Stirk’s e-book Impartial Scotch explains effectively how abandonded concepts of huge gamers usually make their technique to smaller indie bottlers in giant parcels of comparable casks. I’ve as soon as written a Malt Maniacs e-pistle myself about how these parcels are break up amongst a number of bottlers (or ‘labelers’ when you like).
Anyway, Classic Bottlers simply bottled a small collection of 4 Blended Scotches. These compositions have been initially crafted in 1999, utilizing a mixture of whiskies from Macallan, Glenturret, Highland Park and North British, laid to relaxation in first fill sherry butts. Every bottle accommodates a unique chook – one in all them is the (well-known) Black Grouse, how applicable.
Maiden’s Mix 25 yo 1999 (43,8%, Classic Bottlers 2024, sherry butt #8, 643 btl.)
Nostril: seems like a blended malt, with a very nice sherry character to it. Gentle chocolate and darkish nougat, together with brown sugar and cinnamon cookies. There’s a touch of toasted hazelnuts and grains within the background, in addition to some delicate mint and orange peels. More and more leafy over time.
Mouth: on the drier facet, which is sweet. There’s toffee and vanilla but additionally mild tobacco and hints of black pepper. You do really feel the maturity, though the (outdated) grain whisky is now additionally simpler to notice (citrusy, barely thinner). Then it continues on leather-based and a really delicate smoky edge.
End: medium to lengthy, with extra oranges, tobacco notes and delicate oak spice.
A pleasant one, exhibiting good depth and sufficient punch regardless of the modest ABV. Total a nicey mature mix and an excellent begin of this session. Obtainable from Classic Bottlers.
Maiden’s Mix 25 yo 1999 (43,9%, Classic Bottlers 2024, sherry butt #9, 643 btl.)
Nostril: barely thinner and cleaner maybe – I imply much less chocolaty and fewer sherried. Nearer to a real mix, I’d say. We’re getting brighter plummy notes together with metallic hints and cigar packing containers. Then nutmeg and white pepper, together with some mossy notes.
Mouth: extra blend-y certainly. Loads of grainy notes, each barley and hints of grain whisky. This appears nearer to, say, Highland Park than to Macallan. Hints of tea, a drop of heather honey and a light-weight trace of this typical vanilla-coconut combo.
End: medium, clear, with vanilla, mild herbs and an nearly rum-like trace of honey.
On this cask the grain whisky appears to return out extra, taking away among the sherry goodness and depth of its sister. Obtainable from Classic Bottlers. Rating: 85/100
Maiden’s Mix 25 yo 1999 (44,6%, Classic Bottlers 2024, sherry butt #6, 652 btl.)
Nostril: fragrant heathery notes stand out, together with leafy notes and dried berries. Then demerara sugar, honey and leather-based, with some extra earthy notes within the background. Nutmeg and clove studded orange.
Mouth: sweeter than the others, with extra oranges and a touch of coconut, in addition to golden raisins, cake and gingerbread syrup. Half Highland Park, half grain whisky once more, or so it appears. Roasted espresso beans and lightweight coastal components seem in the direction of the top.
End: medium to lengthy, nonetheless crusing the wave of candy fruits, coconut, with polished oak and pepper.
Extra Orkney goodness right here, with a pleasant honey character and a few coastal notes. Total extra syrupy and fewer sherried than anticipated, however very nice by itself. Obtainable from Classic Bottlers. Rating: 86/100
Maiden’s Mix 25 yo 1999 (44,6%, Classic Bottlers 2024, sherry butt #7, 654 btl.)
Nostril: extra clasically sherried once more. Suppose caramelized hazelnuts and walnuts, toffee, baking spice and milk chocolate. Then fruit cake and unique, barely smoky wooden. We’ve come nearer to cask #8 once more.
Mouth: sure, carefully associated to cask #8. Toffee and vanilla, blended with drier hints of fallen leaves, natural tea, gingerbread and artisan cola. A little bit of grainy sweetness seems late.
End: medium to lengthy, with darkish fruits, toffee, baking spice and roasted almond.
Stable and fairly traditional stuff once more. Casks #7 and #8 come closest to malt whisky, and certainly additionally to outdated Macallan. Blends that make you imagine they’re not blends – prime quality. Then again, they’re nearly the worth of equally aged single malts. Obtainable from Classic Bottlers. Rating: 87/100
