We return to our monthly roundup, this time with tasting highlights of the Scottish Realm. Again, its not so much a catalogue of everything tasted, but a best of the best this month. Here’s hoping it makes you thirsty.
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Springbank 18yr., Single Campbeltown Malt, Distillery Release.
Another phenomenal offering from the geniuses in Campbeltown. The Nose is a subtle blend of nectar, dry firewood, unleavened bread, chocolate, and dried lemon peel. The Palate is an abyss, with vanillin, shortbread, orange jelly, bark, leather, and hints of plum from barrel influence. The finish does possess a nice bit of barrel astringency, leaving slight notes of brine and Tellicherry. A luxurious expression of this mainstay of the Campbeltown region – balanced, restrained, and utterly drinkable.
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Inchmurrin 12yr., Single Highland Malt, Distillery Release.
One of the expressions distilled at Loch Lomond, we have here zesty, fruity pre-dinner dram the whole family can enjoy! Initial whiffing begets aromas of apricot pastry, new car leather, and crumbled toffee. The palate starts with a full, weighty mouthfeel, then opens to cut bluegrass, slight peat presence, and oats with brown sugar. Finish dries up quickly and clean, with an abrupt spicy snap. Aye, if you were to serve a finger with a splash of branch water, ‘twould make a fine, fine apertif.
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Glendronach “Revival” 15yr., Single Speyside Malt, Distillery Release.
Want a great representation of Speyside distilling techniques? Look no further than the 15 year release. One sniff o’ the spirit, and you’ll be punched in the face with the Archetypal Sherry Barrel Characteristic: dried fruits. Sure there’s a bit of walnut liqueur, maybe a touch of soy sauce and smoke, but this baby was definitely the progeny of Spanish Oloroso Sherry Maturation. Palate is huge: coffee, prunes, dates, plum, cocoa, star anise, Cointreau, and horse stable. Finish is even, like, huger…this sucker lingers. If you’re ever contemplating Glenmorangie, Macallan, or Balvenie, give this a shot. Same price point (ish), and not a hair disappointing.
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Laphroiag 8yr, Single Islay Malt, Distilled 2001, Signatory Unchill-Filtered Series.
An excellent independently bottled, younger version of my favorite malt. It pours with beautiful, green-tinged clarity. While the dram is young, it is neither boorish nor unruly. The nose is unmistakably Laphroiag, with its combination of sweet & smoke – toffee mixed with iodine, with a hint of seaweed. Peat smoke drops like a bomb of vulcanized rubber on the palate. Out of the aftermath emerges molasses, a drop of salt water, and Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
Absoludicris. (And affordable!)
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Caol Ila, Distilled in 1998, Madeira Wood Finish, Gordon MacPhail Private Collection.
Less of a smoke bomb than our previous entry, this offering of Caol Ila utilizes the Madeira wood as a mellowing agent, imparting subtle fruit character while balancing smoke dominance. Aromatically speaking, hazelnut, rose water, soft perfume, and animal crackers all support definite peat smokiness. On the palate, the peat manifests itself as slightly medicinal, layered with Chinese five-spice, cayenne, herbs de Provence, and dried cherries. Again, Caol Ila impresses me with its potential in the hands of the right independent bottler, and this is no exception. A hair on the extravagant side, price-wise, but well worth every penny, it makes for the perfect substitute for Lagavulin fans.
