You've got to love That Boutique-y Whisky Company! The independent bottlers are producing some absolute gems... and their fun, artistic labelling gives a real sense of personality to their quirky products. Over the past 18 months or so, I've sampled some of there wares at some of the various whisky festivals around the country and have enjoyed chatting to Dave Worthington who has always been manning their stand! (sometimes alongside his daughter Kat) He's a great, whisky loving chap who I'd thoroughly recommend you talk to if you get the opportunity. I'd not put you off taking a gander and their blog site too: https://whisky-discovery.blogspot.co.uk
Anyway, on to my first Twitter tasting of 2017. Another @TheWhiskyWire, with five of That Boutique-y Whisky Company's finest drams on the table for tasting. My thanks as always to Steve for allowing me to participate once again in an enjoyable Tweet tasting.
Here are my tasting notes from the evening:
Loch Lomond - Single Grain Scotch Whisky - 19 years old, 49.7%, £54.95
Nose
Sharp, oily varnish and a vegetal quality to it initially. Then dry wood tones & vanilla come through, and café latte too.
Palate
A bit harsh neat, but with a couple of drops of water you get quite a spicy kick with more woody notes in there too. Like chewing on a toothpick!
More vanilla, some salted caramel.
Finish
Oak, bit of pepper, some creaminess… not particularly long.
Secret Distillery #2 - 15 years old, 51%, £107.95
Nose
Pinky hue to this one!Berries initially… overripe strawberry and blackcurrant. Really dark, rich marmalade too. Plus a minerally quality which goes with time… leaving dark cherry choc behind (yum!).
Palate
More dark berries & currants, aniseed pips… fruity notes too, stewed plums with cinnamon. Yum!!
Finish
Liquorice on the finish… a little of the fruity sweetness… quite warming. A cracking dram!
Mortlach - 18 years old, 48.9%, £93.95
Nose
Grilled ripe pineapple & gammon steak! Sweetness there, but a salty meatiness too… More sweet than savoury. Softens over time and becomes quite floral. Very sniffable.
Palate
Sweet, zesty, sherbet & lemon oil with pear drops. Tempering dry oakiness too. Good stuff!
Finish
More of the wood notes come through, but with a lingering tropical sweetness that is well balanced and lovely.
Glenrothes - 25 years old, 49.7%, £119.95
Nose
Oily & nutty, toasted coconut, green mango, mint… Goan?! Others mentioned ginger which comes through eventually, but quite sweet (gingerbread).
Palate
Fresh ginger, nutty creamy toffee and a nice floral undertone. Really well balanced.
Someone mentioned lemon curd which does come through towards the end.
Finish
More of the lemon curd! It's thick and viscous… another winner.
Single Malt Irish Whiskey - 24 years old, 46.8%, £124.95
Nose
Sweet peachy notes, passion fruit but with a heavy malty bread dough.Some subtle green herbs eventually too? Yes! Lemongrass :-) And hints of orange oils.
Palate
A subtle blend of chilli heat with tropical sweetness and more… A bit of red chilli with passionfruit, but also a pancake with lemon note too!
Finish
Mangoes and more raw dough… relatively long.
The final three drams really were enjoyable, and it was hard to pick a clear favourite. On the night I ended up selecting the Mortlach as my favourite, very closely followed by the Irish malt and the Glenrothes. Fourth was the Secret distillery, and last (but by no means least!) was the Loch Lomond.
Fave label of the night goes to... My Lovely Horse! :-)