I’m desperately making an attempt to meet up with all of the samples which might be presently on my desk. One of many packages that was lengthy overdue is from Dutch bottler Hogshead Imports. Right now I’m making an attempt 4 peated single malts from Glenturret, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila and Jura (we expect).
Peated Highland 19 yo 2004 (48%, Hogshead Imports 2023, refill barrel, 295 btl.)
Nostril: relatively farmy peat (horse steady), with mulched leaves, previous items of wooden and a few meaty hints. Black peppercorns, chilly backyard bonfire and uncooked wool. Then vanilla richness, some melons and overripe pineapple within the background. Refined menthol and whiffs of contemporary concrete.
Mouth: nonetheless fairly leafy, with a agency salty aspect. Lemon zest, obscure stone fruits and cider apples, together with loads of medicinal notes and burnt grasses. Minty notes, a bit mustard and charred herbs. Smoked meat within the distance.
End: medium to lengthy, with natural smoke, a touch of bacon, liquorice and white pepper.
Might this be Jura, as prompt by related casks? Maybe, sure. A sort of spirit that isn’t very typical for the distillery, however nonetheless of top quality. Should you’re , you’ll find their accomplice outlets on the web site.
Bunnahabhain Staoisha 9 yo 2013 (48%, Hogshead Imports 2023, refill barrel, 278 btl.)
Nostril: a lot cleaner and brighter, focusing extra on coastal notes. Liquorice and barely acrid lemons, with oysters and inexperienced bananas. Cigarette smoke, not too loud. Then some mint, smoked almonds and wool. There’s a lightweight trace of fruit sweet within the distance too, possibly peach flavoured.
Mouth: fairly oily, on olive oil, Lapsang tea, a bit mocha and dose of refreshing aniseed and eucalyptus. Inexperienced pepper, in addition to a pinch of salt. Pure lemons, rockpools and hints of ginger. Moderately elegant for a Staoisha.
End: lengthy, contemporary, even a bit floral, but in addition displaying anise, lemon juice and loads of maritime notes.
Younger, a tad much less complicated than the peated Highland, however the freshness is spectacular. Coastal peat, with not one of the meatiness. I want this model – Staoisha is commonly glorious. Rating: 88/100
Caol Ila 10 yo 2012 (55,8%, Hogshead Imports 2023, first-fill Caroni barrel, 44 btl.)
Nostril: ah, the Caroni is clearly within the lead right here. Esters, hints of diesel and a whiff of acetone. This mixes with seawater, inexperienced melon and inexperienced banana. Even a floral be aware. Then smoked oysters and hints of materials. Extra of an unusual rum than an distinctive Caol Ila, if that is smart.
Mouth: nonetheless loads of rummy goodness. Petrol notes once more, hints of olives in brine, delicate tar and salted anchovy. Liquorice and peppermint. Mid-palate a cool floral be aware seems, virtually soapy sooner or later. Then again to coastal peat, moist rocks and herbs. A bit acrid and sharp now.
End: lengthy, on natural smoke, brine and zesty lemons.
Initially I had issue accepting the massive footprint of the rum: there’s most likely extra rum than whisky within the bottle. Over time although, I turned fairly keen on the combination, particularly since Caroni aromas and flavours are very appropriate to these of Caol Ila. Barely freaky whisky, however an important experiment. Rating: 88/100
For the following one, I discover it says solera hogshead on the label. It seems to be a re-coopered previous PX butt, which is smart since I’ve hardly witnessed hogshead casks in soleras at sherry bodegas.
Glenturret – Ruadh Maor 11 yo 2011 (57,1%, Hogshead Imports 2024, first fill PX sherry solera hogshead, 325 btl.)
Nostril: far much less peaty than I anticipated, and much much less sherried too. There’s a smouldering wooden log and whiffs of birchwood. Then loads of dried grassy notes and fallen leaves. Fairly savoury, with walnuts, dusty material and muddy earth, in addition to a faint trace of purple berries within the distance. Lighter than anticipated, but a bit rustic.
Mouth: now taking part in the peat card. Actually leafy and dry, with way more (wooden) smoke than the nostril prompt. A bit of butter toffee and brown sugar, in addition to mild hints of bacon. Refined citrus and salt popping out in the direction of the top, together with a gentle rubbery edge.
End: fairly lengthy and drying, with a flippantly creamy edge, faint coastal notes and inexperienced pepper.
I consider that is from the inaugural batch from this bottler. Even after this 26 month end, it could be arduous to guess this have been a primary fill PX cask. Not likely a spotlight on this session: it’s very leafy, with a really ‘mainland’ form of peat and never sufficient sherry to steadiness it. Rating: 84/100
