28th June 2023 Have I got a favourite Whisky?
Have you got a favourite whisky is a question whisky drinkers are asked frequently. I was asked at the weekend. It’s a question I have a couple of stock answers to … I’m enjoying the journey to finding one and/ or I can tell you the distilleries I am not keen on.
One possible answer may be Ledaig. I do find a lot to love in the whisky made on the island of Mull. A great example comes in the Guerilla cask release from 2021, which I was lucky enough to try recently.
LEDAIG 12Yr GUERILLA CASKS 1st Fill Madeira Barrique cask 51.5%
V – Golden brass, thin ring, lots of slow legs – 9 N – nougat, toffee, candyfloss, marshmallow, cream, raspberry ripple, rubber glue hint, frazzles, smoked ham – 14 M – light, slightly drying finish – 14 T – cream, raspberry ripple, smoked burrata, gherkin brine, sweet whipped cream, honey, golden syrup, bonfire toffee, charcoal, hickory smoke, roasted caramel peanuts, thick dry seaweed kombu?, burnt bacon, sweet smoked bacon, ashtray water, saline – 28 F – saline, almond milk, warm whey, brine, brined ham, thick seaweed, charcoal, black rubber, salt liquorice hint, hickory smoke, honey roast caramel peanuts, bonfire toffee, burnt sourdough, smoked burrata, clotted cream, whipped cream – 27 = 92
24th June 2023 – Springbank
There are trends in whisky, just as there are in any other industry. Riding high on a wave of current popularity is the whisky from Springbank. I have to say … while I like Springbank, I don’t love it in a way which would prompt chasing at inflated prices. Each to their own. I may be more tempted to chase whisky from Glen Scotia, another Campbelltown distillery. It is perhaps a little more characterful, which in another persons book might translate as challenging. As I say, each to their own. The recent 15 year old release might persuade me otherwise, as it was full of character. There are plenty of notes to love.
SPRINGBANK 15 Yrs Sherry Cask 2023 46%
V – Light golden brass, thin ring, lots of quick legs – 8 N – stewed apple, sweet creamy tea, caramel, raspberry hint, stout – 13 M – light, easy, slight roughing – 14 T – old perfume’d, Amarylis, toffee, caramel, milky stewed sweet tea, creamy beer/ light stout, stewed apple, scrumpy, funk – 26 F – funk, stewed apple, whipped cream, hair with spray, smoked burrata, creamy beer, milky sweet tea, caramel, toffee, scrumpy/ hint of funk – 26 = 87
8th June 2023 – First entry Bimber
As I am based in London it felt only right to start with some London whisky. For the uninitiated or dis-interested, you may not realise London whisky is a thing. It most certainly is a thing. A very good thing at that. I’d wholeheartedly recommend a visit to Bimber distillery. Picture a majestic centuries old building in sweeping grounds next to a verdant river, and then tear that image up. This is no picture perfect distillery. Surrounded by chop shops and based in an industrial unit in Acton this distillery should remain firmly on your ‘to visit’ list. The gang there are all wonderful and so welcoming. The whisky is award winning and damn tasty, as highlighted by the two examples below.
BIMBER KLUB N’3 BREW BY NUMBERS IMPERIAL STOUT FINISH 51.2%
V – Amber, thin beady ring, lots of quick legs – 8 N – slate, hazelnut, Nutella, marshmallow, buttery sweet popcorn, meringue, sugared almonds, bark – 13 M –bright warming fluffy tongue hug – 14 T – cream, vanilla, marshmallow, nougat, hazelnuts, sandalwood, sugared almonds, meringue, Horlicks, soft malt, whipped cream, stout, charcoal, burnt toast, marge, almond butter – 27 F – almond butter, whipped cream, marshmallow, cappuccino, whipped cream with grated dark choc, milk choc, coffee bean, dark choc, charcoal, stout, cream – 26 = 88 One of my favourite Bimber whiskies, but I have by no means sampled a vast amount.
BIMBER CASK 279/2 AMONTILLADO SWC WINTER Jan 2023 FESTIVAL Bottle 36 of 114 57.5%
V – tarnished 2p coin/ Sherry/ dark brass, thick layer, few quick thick legs – 9 N – marzipan, almond essence, vanilla sponge, cake crust, sherry, sultanas – 13 M – hot but cuddly, fine spiky fizz – 13 T – marzipan, nougat, meringue, sugared almonds, Victoria sponge cake – cake crust, sultanas, putty, chilli powder – 26 F – Victoria sponge, cake crust, almonds, meringue, nougat, sugared almonds, sherry – 24 = 85 Full term Amontillado maturation produces a wonderfully rounded sweet and nutty finish