In June 2024 The Whisky Alternate offered a brand new collection named The Seasons. We tried the Summer season launch and thought it was a slightly spot-on choice with good worth for cash.
Now there’s a brand new installment, The Seasons: Autumn. This time it contains Dailuaine, Ledaig and Caol Ila. Flavours ought to flip to baked apple, pumpkin pie and bonfire smoke… You should purchase a full collector’s set or every whisky individually.
Dailuaine 12 yo 2011 (52,1%, The Whisky Alternate ‘Seasons – Autumn’ 2023, rejuvenated hogshead #316960)
Nostril: gentle fruity notes (peach and stewed Golden Scrumptious), but additionally fallen leaves and hints of ginger and nutmeg, which instantly make it extra autumnal. Then hints of porridge, with marmalade and acacia honey. A pleasant mixture of sweetness and spice.
Mouth: the identical richness, due to stewed orchard fruits (pears and apples) and a few creamy, buttery vanilla and oak spice. Nutmeg, black pepper and ginger. Then apple pie, toasted almonds and hints of liquorice. Gaining some sharpness in direction of the top, with orange peels and and drying nuts.
End: medium, with natural honey, earthy spice, apple peelings and extra of this black pepper.
A advantageous younger Dailuaine and a great transition whisky, constructing a bridge between late summer time fruits and gentle spice. Apparently a bit later than the others, however accessible quickly from The Whisky Alternate.
Ledaig 17 yo 2006 (55,4%, The Whisky Alternate ‘Seasons – Autumn’ 2023, butt #16)
Nostril: barely farmy peat, with prunes and blackberries, together with treacle and coal smoke. Mild tarry notes. Then again to raisins, natural honey and singed orange peels, together with damp wooden and hints of tobacco leaves. Smoked meat within the background.
Mouth: highly effective and darkish, with numerous sooty notes, black peppercorns and smoked meat. Hints of caramelized apple and chocolate, in addition to some espresso. Just a little creosote and burnt rubber. Then a charred aspect, a pinch of sea salt and baked plum comes out.
End: lengthy, on lacquered barbecue meats, seaweed, plums and colf espresso.
A extremely good Ledaig that jogs my memory of the Whisky Present 2022 bottling. A wealthy combination of coal smoke with thick sweetness and a rugged meatiness. Excellent for a chilly autumn night, after a stroll within the forest. Out there from The Whisky Alternate, however fairly costly. Rating: 88/100
Caol Ila 9 yo 2014 (52,1%, The Whisky Alternate ‘Seasons – Autumn’ 2023, first fill bourbon barrel #808)
Nostril: traditional mercurochrome and sea spray with pebblestones on the seashore. Pink apple, chalk, oysters and salted peanuts, in addition to uncooked wool. Alternatively there’s vanilla and almond from the energetic bourbon wooden. Cleaner than the color recommended.
Mouth: the candy woody notes and apple juice make it rounder, however there’s no scarcity of brine, lanolin, medicinal smoke and pepper both. Later additionally cinnamon, lemon and loads of ashes. Caol Ila for these with a candy tooth, with out renouncing any distillery character.
End: lengthy, nonetheless juicy sufficient, regardless of the drying edge.
Very wealthy and properly chosen once more. Caol Ila takes a barely heavier wooden affect properly. It makes the peat come properly, changing among the minerality with sweetness. Out there from The Whisky Alternate. Rating: 86/100
