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- Written by: Mark
- Category: Tweet Tasting
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On Wednesday the 19th June, I was fortunate to try Arbikie Whisky for the first time as took part in the #TweetTasting with @Arbikie hosted by Steve Rush @TheWhiskyWire
The line up for the the tasting was as follows:
- Arbikie 1794 Highland Rye Single Grain Scotch Whisky - Link to Arbikie Shop
ABV: 48%
Casks: New charred American oak casks
Mash Bill: Winter Rye 60%, Spring malted barley 25% and Winter wheat 15%
RRP: £95.00 - Arbikie Highland Rye Single Grain Scotch Whisky Artists Edition - Link to Arbikie Shop
ABV: 46%
RRP: £250 - Arbikie Highland Rye Distillery Exclusive Bottle Your Own
ABV: 58%
Distilled: 2019
Casks: New American oak casks
RRP: £100.00
Delivery was received the previous day, however the second dram labeled #2 was damaged resulting all of the delicious liquid being lost. However I still have the first and last drams to look forward too.
Here are my thoughts and tweets from the evening.
Arbikie Highland Rye
— Whisky Resource (Mark) (@WhiskyResource) June 19, 2024
Nose: Rye bread, caramel, touch vegetal, fresh dough, hint of berry jam bringing in some fruit. No noticeable signs of alcohol@Arbikie @TheWhiskyWire #TweetTastings #ArbikieDistillery pic.twitter.com/qfKIiXiy6Y
Arbikie Highland Rye
— Whisky Resource (Mark) (@WhiskyResource) June 19, 2024
Palate: a slight syrup sweetness, initial impact is spicy then cherry granola is delivered, touch cellulosic, rye bread. Spices of nutmeg, ginger, liquorice.
Finish: clove & pepper#ArbikieDistillery #TweetTastings@Arbikie @TheWhiskyWire @TweetTastings pic.twitter.com/NBsk2vGDHJ
Overall thoughts are this is an excellent rye whisky, due to the cooler and therefore slower maturation which occurs in Scotland, compared to the US, this Scotch Rye appears to offer a more diverse flavour range than I have experienced from it's peers across the Atlantic, quite possibly also due to the mash bill which includes 40% barley, which also helps temper the spice of the rye.
Arbikie Dram #1 Fill Your Own
— Whisky Resource (Mark) (@WhiskyResource) June 19, 2024
Nose: Rye bread & doughy, herbal liquorice, scorched hay, touch of petrichor & damp moss hinting to dunnage notes.
I’m enjoying this nose#ArbikieDistillery #TweetTastings@Arbikie @TheWhiskyWire @TweetTastings pic.twitter.com/Fa4rPPsYsX
Arbikie # 1 Fill Your Own
— Whisky Resource (Mark) (@WhiskyResource) June 19, 2024
Palate: Juicy liquorice jellies & cola cubes. Cracked black peppercorns & fresh chilli. Rye Bread with earthy rye crackers. Like American rye whiskey but more varied & flavourful. Fantastic.
#TweetTastings@Arbikie @TheWhiskyWire @TweetTastings pic.twitter.com/BPzE410RMP
This Distillery Exclusive certainly benefits from being cask strength, the nose did not give away its strength, it only being revealed on the palate. It's a rich and rewarding dram with complexity of flavour and sensation, most notably the spice, which, with addition of water is further enhanced.
While it was disappointing not to get to try the second whisky, the Abilkie Highland Rye Artists Edition, being the most expensive, I am very grateful for the chance to have tried at least the core range 1794 Rye, getting to try the Distillery Exclusive, which can only be purchased from the distillery was a bonus that I am grateful for trying.
Before I started enjoying Scotch Whisky, I primarily drank American Bourbons then later American Rye Whiskey.
Having tried many of the core range and those readily available to the UK Market. Rye Whiskeys, because of what Rye presents, tends to be a very spicy spirit, which is very much the case with what Arbikie offers.
Beyond American Rye Whiskey, the only other Rye Whisky I have tried is the Stauning Rye from the Danish producer. Bottled at 48% ABV and available for around £50, once again and unsurprisingly it is spicy.
As a comparison, Rye Whisky is a bit more spicy than say a Talisker 10 Year Old, if you enjoy spice specifically Liquorice, Rye Bread, Black Pepper and Chilli, then these Rye Whiskies from Arbikie are for you. Likewise if you have trie American Rye Whiskey or even other international offerings, the Whisky crafted by Arbikie is certainly worth trying.
I would be remiss to not acknowledge the price of the Arbikie offerings starting at £95 for the core 1794 Single Grain whisky, at twice the price of the Stauning Rye it is expensive, however, the Arbikie offers a different take on a Rye Whisky, providing some tasting notes which you certainly won't be finding in American Whiskey.
Rye Whisky from Scotland is still very much a rarity, from memory, the only other distilleries using rye to any extent are Bruichladdich and The Borders Distillery. South of the border however, English Whisky has embraced Rye with East London Liquor, Oxford Artisan, Adnams and The English Distillery via their 'The Norfolk' range being just some of the brands to offer the grain. So when reflecting on the exclusivity of Rye Whisky in Scotland, the price, while expensive when compared to the wealth of options available, can be justified to a degree exactly because of this exclusivity.
However, the core range 1794 Single Grain is expensive, even though it is in an exclusive whisky category. Inevitably you will be comparing other Single Grain Whiskies, quite often, coming with an age statement and it will make you wonder why they are considerably cheaper than the Arbikie core release. With the exception of a handful of Scottish distilleries, most notably Loch Lomond, almost all Single Grain Whisky is independently bottled and while not always the case, is often cheaper than official bottles, this is almost always what is seen with Single Malt Scotch.
I think, what I am trying to get across is, Yes the 1794 is an expensive whisky, but it is unique, this brings exclusivity which commands a price. Coupled with the fact that Rye Whisky is not to everyone's taste, some may question the price further. Expand your palate and give it a try if you get the chance. The Distillery Exclusive, however, for my mind is win and definitely worth considering if you enjoy a rye whisky.
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- Written by: Mark
- Category: Tweet Tasting
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On Wednesday the 24th April I took part in my second #TweetTasting with @CùBòcanWhisky hosted by Steve Rush @TheWhiskyWire
My 1st Cù Bòcan Tweet Tasting was on the 5th July 2023 when we tasted a fantastic lineup of whiskies which you can go directly to by this page link. The full tasting notes for each whisky can be found at the bottom of this page or you can click on the links to each one to go directly there.
The line up for the the tasting on the 24th April 2024 was as follows:
- Cù Bòcan Signature Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Signature Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 46%
Casks: Matured in a combination of Bourbon, Oloroso Sherry and North American Virgin Oak casks
RRP: £48.50 - Cù Bòcan 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 46%
Casks: Finished in Caribbean Rum casks from Guyana and Barbados
RRP: £66.50 - Cù Bòcan Creation #6
ABV: 46%
Casks: A marriage of 9yr Pedro Ximénez Sherry (78%) and 10yr Jamaican Rum cask (22%) matured whiskies
RRP: £61.50 - Cù Bòcan 15 Year Old 2023 Edition
ABV: 50%
Casks: Matured fully in Oloroso Sherry casks
RRP: £97.00
Cù Bòcan, which is produced at @Tomatin1897is an experimental ‘unlocking the unusual’ celebration of the subtleties of smoke and balanced sweetness, and explores innovative finishes to create whiskies full of intrigue and surprise.
Distilled every winter in limited batches @cubocanwhisky is made with lightly peated (15ppm) Scottish barley and matured in a variety of casks to unlock unusual flavours. #CuBocanWhisky #Scotch #Whisky
The tasting for 2024 is almost identical to the tasting in July 2023, both the Signature and the 12 Year Old were the same whiskies, however, there could be very minor batch variations. The creation for the 2024 tasting is #6 and the 15 Year Old is the 2023 release, in the previous tasting form 2023 was the Creation #5 and 15 Year Old 2022 Release. You can compare my tasting notes should you wish.
1st up was the Cù Bòcan Signature at 46% ABV
Cu Bocan Signature
— Whisky Resource (Mark) (@WhiskyResource) April 24, 2024
Nose:
Fruity initially with a vegetal/herbal follow-up.
Powdered sugar brings more sweetness.
Salty & savoury, umami!
It draws you in to take a sip, slight hint of smoke.
//hypnotic@CuBocanWhisky #CuBocanWhisky @TheWhiskyWire #TweetTastings pic.twitter.com/4d3Me094hF
Cu Bocan Signature
— Whisky Resource (Mark) (@WhiskyResource) April 24, 2024
Palate:
Sweet - confectionery like with salted vanilla Carmel’s & chocolate cream.
Tropical fruit of grapefruit, pineapple & lime.
A thin veil of smoke threading through adding a dimension.@CuBocanWhisky #CuBocanWhisky @TheWhiskyWire #TweetTastings pic.twitter.com/Lkg60tB3oO
2nd was the Cù Bòcan 12 Year Old at 46% ABV
Cu Bocan 12 Year
— Whisky Resource (Mark) (@WhiskyResource) April 24, 2024
Nose:
Well balanced sweetness with a vanilla caramel fudge, citrus cream atop orchard fruit & a vegetal maybe hay note.
//Creamy@CuBocanWhisky #CuBocanWhisky @TheWhiskyWire #TweetTastings pic.twitter.com/akxCXsIsdP
Cu Bocan 12 Year
— Whisky Resource (Mark) (@WhiskyResource) April 24, 2024
Palate:
Drier than nose, honey caramel sweetness delivering creamy vanilla milk chocolate, citrus & orchard fruit with the staple thread of smoke binding it all.@CuBocanWhisky #CuBocanWhisky @TheWhiskyWire #TweetTastings pic.twitter.com/C9JzI97FVG
3rd was the Cù Bòcan Creation #6 at 46% ABV
Cu Bocan Creation 6
— Whisky Resource (Mark) (@WhiskyResource) April 24, 2024
Nose:
Hay like earthiness, a gentle dunnage note of sherry, caramelised tropical fruit. Honey oats, baking spice.
More syrupy & complex over time with salt & smoke appearing.@CuBocanWhisky #CuBocanWhisky @TheWhiskyWire #TweetTastings pic.twitter.com/FTxoj5HUm3
Cu Bocan Creation 6
— Whisky Resource (Mark) (@WhiskyResource) April 24, 2024
Palate:
Syrupy with tropical fruit sugars. Ginger snaps, earthy with briney smoked hot dogs marinated with charred brown sugar. This is very yummy.@CuBocanWhisky #CuBocanWhisky @TheWhiskyWire #TweetTastings pic.twitter.com/lc5TjEnWVz
Finally was the 15 Year Old 2023 Edition at 50% ABV
Cu Bocan 15 Year
— Whisky Resource (Mark) (@WhiskyResource) April 24, 2024
Nose:
Sweet with rich dried fruit, sherry syrup from soaking dried fruit. Wonderful Dunnage funk. Winter spices.
Garibaldi biscuits & a light thread of smoke.@CuBocanWhisky #CuBocanWhisky @TheWhiskyWire #TweetTastings pic.twitter.com/kH8QH4B4wy
Cu Bocan 15 Year
— Whisky Resource (Mark) (@WhiskyResource) April 24, 2024
Palate:
Drier than nose, syrupy with those dried fruits & dunnage. Very faint sulphur. Dates, plum & a cola drink. Dark chocolate, coffee bean & mild sarsaparilla & smoke.
//Fantastic!!!@CuBocanWhisky #CuBocanWhisky @TheWhiskyWire #TweetTastings pic.twitter.com/s5rMZoCkql
As with the 2023 Cù Bòcan #TweetTastings each whisky was exceptional with very little to choose between them, the 15 Year Old being fully sherry matured was always going to be the one I was drawn towards, if it had choose the 2022 release had a slight edge over the 2023 release, but I would happily buy either.
The Creation #6 is inspired, just enough rum cask influence to add a tropical zing to the PX cask influence.
The 12 Year Old remains a competent well flavoured scotch whisky, possibly my least favourite of the night, maybe a little over £16 more than I would pay at RRP, however, it is available at Master of Malt (at the time of writing, for a much more reasonable £47.11, follow this link to a new window if you want to check it out.
But like last year, it is the Cù Bòcan Signature which speaks to me the most, it is tasty and affordable, an uncompromising easy drinking whisky that still delivers some complexity, once again Master of Malt have it available below RRP at £36.63 which is a great price for this banging whisky. Check it out with this link in a new window.
The tasting order for the 5th July 2023 was as follows:
- Cù Bòcan Signature - Links on page: Nose Palate Finish & with water
- Cù Bòcan Creation #5 - Links on page: Nose Palate Finish
- Cù Bòcan Creation 12 Year Old Batch 1 - Links on page: Nose Palate
- Cù Bòcan Creation 15 Year Old 2022 Edition - Links on page: Nose Palate Finish
These are my tasting notes for the Signature at 46% ABV
#TweetTasting #CuBocanWhisky @CuBocanWhisky @TweetTastings @TheWhiskyWire
— Whisky Resource (Mark) (@WhiskyResource) July 5, 2023
Signature Nose: Overwhelming initial character is vegetal / herbal, suggestion of soy cooked oriental mushrooms with a touch of brine & freshly chopped green herbs. pic.twitter.com/YXL1FYXLui
Signature P: Starts sweet & viscous. Citrus & salted caramel. A faint thread of smoke weaves through layers of lemon & grapefruit, fruit polos spring to mind with a peppermint freshness. Hay with earthiness#TweetTasting #CuBocanWhisky @CuBocanWhisky @TweetTastings @TheWhiskyWire pic.twitter.com/855jQW5Bx3
— Whisky Resource (Mark) (@WhiskyResource) July 5, 2023
Cu Bocan Signature Finish: Oak spice, chilli & a touch menthol.
With h2o Signature
N: spicy with chilli prickle. Sweet & sour sweetcorn fritters coriander & parsley.
P: chilli, hay, salted caramel & now white chocolate Its unique, is something different very memorable#TweetTasting #CuBocanWhisky @CuBocanWhisky @TweetTastings @TheWhiskyWire pic.twitter.com/RbFdFYHob2
These are my tasting notes for the Creation Edition 5 at 46% ABV
Cu Bocan Creation 5
— Whisky Resource (Mark) (@WhiskyResource) July 5, 2023
Nose: A syrupy herbal linctus! It’s fragrant, medicinal in a natural herbal way. It’s inviting & intriguing. Then it’s vanilla honey, caramel & citrus.#TweetTasting #CuBocanWhisky @CuBocanWhisky @TweetTastings @TheWhiskyWire pic.twitter.com/a8DsfFtaV6
Creation 5 Palate: Sweet & spicy, a thread of smoke appears quickly & intertwines with some tropical notes reminiscent of a smoothie, pineapple, melon & banana.#TweetTasting #CuBocanWhisky @CuBocanWhisky @TweetTastings @TheWhiskyWire pic.twitter.com/4bOf4zX0BV
— Whisky Resource (Mark) (@WhiskyResource) July 5, 2023
Creation 5 Finish has oak spice, smoked banana & charred vanilla.
— Whisky Resource (Mark) (@WhiskyResource) July 5, 2023
Another enjoyable whisky, that tropical aspect is messing with my head as I’m also picturing a tropical storm.#TweetTasting #CuBocanWhisky @CuBocanWhisky @TweetTastings @TheWhiskyWire pic.twitter.com/YZXp4ekYvA
These are my tasting notes for the 12 Year Old Batch 1 at 46% ABV
Cu Bocan 12 Year batch 1 Rum
— Whisky Resource (Mark) (@WhiskyResource) July 5, 2023
Nose:That herbal character is there once again, a tropical note of caramelised slightly charred fruits. This has that tropical storm sensation with a mix is spice & faint smoke#TweetTasting #CuBocanWhisky @CuBocanWhisky @TweetTastings @TheWhiskyWire pic.twitter.com/gQPGVEaQnS
Cu Bocan 12 Year Rum casks
— Whisky Resource (Mark) (@WhiskyResource) July 5, 2023
Palate: Syrupy slightly tangy sour tropicalish lemon pineapple, papaya but charred on a beach bbq with that ribbon of sweet smoke. Someone has poured chilli sauce over to marinade#TweetTasting #CuBocanWhisky @CuBocanWhisky @TweetTastings @TheWhiskyWire pic.twitter.com/Nv34uRG7Rj
These are my tasting notes for the 15 Year Old 2022 Edition at 50% ABV
Cu Bocan 15 Year 2022 Edition
— Whisky Resource (Mark) (@WhiskyResource) July 5, 2023
Nose: Earthy dunnage, Rich dark fruit - cherry, raisin, date. Christmas cake spice but there is also some of that herbal / vegetal funk on the nose.#TweetTasting #CuBocanWhisky @CuBocanWhisky @TweetTastings @TheWhiskyWire pic.twitter.com/YTwdFS90mT
Cu Bocan 15 Palate: Rich & syrupy, thick & chewy. as the nose suggests its rich dark sherried fruit with winter baking spice: Christmas both cake & pudding but there’s also dark chocolate & coffee beans.#TweetTasting #CuBocanWhisky @CuBocanWhisky @TweetTastings @TheWhiskyWire pic.twitter.com/FLnzXyKHna
— Whisky Resource (Mark) (@WhiskyResource) July 5, 2023
Cu Bocan 15 Year 2022 Edition Finish: earthy, oak & spice. A very faint trail of smoke.
Probably, definitely the best distillery bottling of a sherry 15 year old I’ve had. Shame it’s sold out.
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- Written by: Malty
- Category: Tweet Tasting
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On the 27th March 2024 I was fortunate to have taken part in my 3rd Tweet Tasting with Glasgow Distillery hosted by Steve @TheWhiskyWire
The whisky tasting line up for the evening was as follows:
- 1770 Triple Distilled
Triple Distilled Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Cask: ex-Bourbon barrels and Virgin American oak casks
ABV: 46%
RRP: £52.00
Glasgow 1770 Triple Distilled, combines concerto malted barley with the pure water of Loch Katrine and is fermented for over 72 hours, before being distilled slowly in their traditional copper pot stills, three times. - 1770 Tequila Cask Finish
Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Cask: Initially matured in a first fill ex-Bourbon cask, before being finished for two years and six months in a Tequila cask.
ABV: 55.3%
Bottles: 272
RRP: £59.00 - 1770 The Original
Cask: ex-Bourbon barrels and Virgin American oak casks
ABV: 46%
RRP: £49.00
It combines concerto malted barley with the pure water of Loch Katrine and is fermented for over 72 hours, before being distilled slowly in their traditional copper pot stills. - 1770 Calvados Cask Finish
Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Cask: Initially matured in a first fill ex-Bourbon cask, before being finished for two years and five months in a Calvados cask
ABV: 58.7%
Bottles: 270
RRP: £59.00 - 1770 Manzanilla Sherry Cask
Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Cask: Refill Manzanilla Sherry butt, that was previously used to mature peated single malt Scotch whisky
ABV: 59%
RRP: £59.00
Bottles: 813
The following are my tasting notes from the evening together with any additional thoughts I may have had:
1770 Triple Distilled
On the Nose: Very fresh and Lively. It has vinous quality, possibly some grape juice together with the wine character. It is a sweet mixed fruit cocktail - the grapes are certainly there maybe a touch vegetal and some floral or herbal notes. It is a very inviting whisky which makes you linger over the nose for quite sometime, enticing you to take a sip
The Palate: As expected it is sweet and juicy. Instead of grape there is Apple blossom, tinned pear syrup which develops into pear drops (candy). Keeping with the orchard fruits, there comes the sensation of a cinnamon topped apple crumble with candied ginger. This is a very tasty dram.
Finish: Its Oaky, juicy sultana with apple skin.
1770 Tequila Cask Finish
On the nose: Initially spirity, this quickly subsides (it is cask strength) to reveal a honeyed and golden sugar almost demerara sweet sensation, then herbaceous and floral note of perhaps primrose and fennel.
The Palate: Like the nose it is sweet, but with a lovely fresh quality. It serves up a creamy rice pudding with tropical fruits, white chocolate and a caramel sauce. It's such an amazing palate.
Finish: Desiccated coconut, peppercorn and oak.
1770 The Original
On the Nose: It is fresh with a candy sweetness provided by toffee apple and apple juice. There is vanilla, honey, maybe sensations of a maple bourbon syrup (which I sometimes add to my morning latte)
The Palate: Drier than nose. The apple is present with apple skin, but now joined by pear juice, cinnamon and ginger spices. Over a short time it gets creamier and develops into an orchard fruit smoothie.
Finish: Dried cream oak, lemon and pepper.
1770 Calvados Cask Finish
On the Nose: It is very expressive with lots going on. As expected it is sweet and fruity. The orchard fruit develops unsurprisingly into Apple, but more of an apple strudel topped with powdered spices. Its a very inviting whisky tempting you to go for a sip.
The Palate: It is sweet and syrupy. Providing creamy apple custard sprinkled with caramelised apple pieces, ginger and candied citrus peel.
With water the nose: cream soda, citrus & toffee apple.
The Palate with water: creamier! Vanilla & toffee. Floral
Finish: vanilla caramel & oak spice
1770 Manzanilla Sherry Cask
On the Nose: It is very funky, but in a great way. It is vegetal with a satisfying brine. There is a dunnage earthy funk, cherry, brimstone, a touch sulphur which can result, beach smoked hot dogs, menthol and cherry tunes (a menthol based cherry flavoured candy - made to help you breathe easier).
The Palate: It is earthy with a caramelised sherry sauce, touch of sulphur, charred cherry pie, cola cubes, red liquorice laces. Then weirdly I picked out a note that reminded me of 'A stack of old newspapers', which isn't a bad thing, it make the dram memorable.
How did I choose between the 5 on the evening?
Scores out of 10. They were all superb.
Triple Distilled 8.61
The Original 8.63
Tequila Cask Finish 8.8
Calvados Cask Finish 8.7
Manzanilla Cask Finish 8.76
They were all so closely matched with demonstrates the quality of the spirit which has been matured and great cask selection.
But I was not expecting the Tequila Cask to be my favourite, I typically am drawn to sherry or port cask influence.
It was an incredible #TweetTasting with @GlasgowDC @TheWhiskyWire
A huge Thank you for letting me be part of it. #GlasgowDistillery #Scotch #TweetTastings
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- Written by: admin
- Category: Tweet Tasting
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On the 21st March I took part in my second #tweettastings with @Torabhaig hosted by Steve @TheWhiskyWire
The lineup and order for the evening were:
- Torabhaig Cnoc Na Moine
- Torabhaig Allt Gleannn
- Mossburn Caisteal Chamus 15 Year Old
- Torabhaig Distillery Reserve 2023
@TheWhiskyWire #TorabhaigWhisky #TweetTastings @TweetTastings
Here are my tasting notes with any thoughts I may have had from the evening.
Torabhaig Cnoc Na Moine
Whisky Details:
Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 46%
Casks: Matured in a combination of ex-Bourbon, American oak Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez Sherry Casks.
Available from specialist retailers for a RRP of £58.00
Malt: Concerto and Anchor
Yeast: Pinnacle MG+ and Anchor
In grain phenols: 78.4 PPM
Residual phenols: 19.7 PPM
Chill-filtration: None
Colouring: None
This bottling is the third chapter in the @torabhaig Legacy Series, the first of which; Legacy Series 2017, launched back in February 2021. Each release is said to capture a stage on the journey from inception and youth through to coming of age and full maturity – leading up to the launch of their 10 Year Old release in 2028.
This latest release is also the distillery’s first to include single malt matured in Sherry casks.
Torabhiag ‘Cnoc Na Moine’, takes its name from the Gaelic for ‘Hill of Peat’
Torabhaig is the second ever licenced single malt Scotch whisky distillery on the Isle of Skye. After a painstaking four-year restoration and build, the distillery has been a fully operational since January 2017.
On the nose I found it aromatic & earthy with sweet peat and smoke embers. There is Dark fruit with warming winter spices, followed by a creamy orange oil joined with a suggestion of earthy dunnage sherry.
The palate is drier than expected, for me it was like pink wafer biscuits, then imagine some flavour notes coming from a cedar wood bowl filled with creamy pepper hummus. There is also the sensation of dusty leather bound books that have sat too close to a recent fire and so have some remnants of being charred and smouldering, similar to a BBQ in some ways.
Torabhaig Allt Gleannn
Whisky Details
Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 46%
Casks: 80% First fill Bourbon and 20% re-fill barrels
Available from specialist retailers for a RRP of: £58.00
Malt: Concerto and Laureate
Yeast: Pinnacle MG+ and Safspirit M-1
In grain phenols: 77 PPM
Residual phenols: 17 PPM
Chill-filtration: None
Colouring: None
On the Nose I found earthy peat with creamy honey oats. Milk chcolate fudge, butterscotch with lemon oil. Towards the back end of the aromas was a sweet heather smoke.
Caisteal Chamuis 15 Year Old Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Whisky Details
Produced using single malts distilled on the islands of Scotland, which were re-barrelled into a single Oloroso Sherry Butt
Available from specialist retailers for a RRP of: £90.00
![Mossburn Caisteal Chamuis 15 Year Old Mossburn Caisteal Chamuis 15 Year Old](/images/bftw/Torabhaig/CaistealChamuis15Year.jpeg)
Torabhiag Distillery Reserve 2023
Whisky Details
ABV: 58.1%
Casks: Finished in Skye Ale Porter casks
![Torabhaig Distillery Reserve 2023 Porter Cask Finish Torabhaig Distillery Reserve 2023 Porter Cask Finish](/images/bftw/Torabhaig/TorabhaigDistilleryReserve2023.jpeg)
Finish: caramel lemon drops (candy) with smoked oak.
![Lindores Abbey Logo](/images/Logos/Distilleries/Lindores/Lindores-Abbey-Logo-Positive.png)
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- Written by: TweetTaster
- Category: Tweet Tasting
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For Burns Night on the 25th January 2024, I was fortunate enough to have taken part in another incredible tweet tasting with Steve Rush @TheWhiskyWire (link new window) and Lindores Abbey (link new window).
In the lineup on the evening were the following whiskies:
- MCDXCIV Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: Around 3.5 years old
ABV: 46%
Casks: Matured in a combination of Bourbon barrels, Wine barriques and Sherry butts.
RRP: £49.00
Launched in June 2021 - Casks of Lindores II STR Red Wine Barriques Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: Just under 4 years old
ABV: 49.4%
Casks: Matured in shaved, toasted and recharred Red Wine barriques.
RRP: £59.95 - Casks of Lindores II Bourbon Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: Just over 4 years old
ABV: 49.4%
Casks: Matured in First-fill Bourbon barrels
RRP: £59.95 - Lindores Abbey Friar John Cor Cask Strength Congregation - Chapter II Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 60.9%
Casks: A Batch Strength vatting of Bourbon ASBs, STR Red Wine barriques and second-fill Peated ex-Rum casks.
RRP: £68.00
Onto the tasting
The format of the Tweet Tasting is straight forward, the host Steve Rush, guides us through each release, providing further details about each whisky, we first nose the whisky giving our thoughts, before we move onto tasting the malt, then should we wish, provide notes on the influence of water on the the whisky before continuing onto the next dram.
MCDXCIV
On the Nose:
It is Fresh, initially sweet caramel followed up with a vegatal note which reveals Hay and Apple Blossom, sherbet lemon, Icing sugar, ginger, cardamom and cola
Onto the taste:
The palate is sweet with honey and apple, floral notes of rose, then it delivers sweet shop sensations of sherbet lemon, milk chocolate, cinder toffee, caramel pennies. Then spices of White pepper & clove
The Finish:
You get light oak, pepper and sensations of lemon sherbet fizz.
It's Very bimberesque with a vanilla chocolate cream on the palate, Bimber Ex-Bourbon being the first whisky I noticed this not on and I have experienced it on almost all Bimbers since. This Lindores MCDXCIV Single Malt Scotch Whisky is Easy drinking and made it onto my list for Whisky of the Year for 2024.
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Casks of Lindores II STR Red Wine Barriques
The Casks of @LindoresAbbey Series, is a limited-edition series of single malts, comprised of whiskies that have been aged for at least three years exclusively in a single cask type; STR Wine Barriques, Oloroso Sherry Butts and Bourbon Barrels. #LindoresAbbey #Scotch #Whisky
On the Nose:
The first sensation is that of Herbs mainly Coriander seed, fennel, pine nut, carraway & cucumber. It's Earthy but sweet with vanilla, lime, popcorn and a black fruit cider.
On the Palate:
It is sweet and salty with jammy berries, vanilla chocolate cream, very reminiscent of Quality Street Strawberry Cremes. There is oaky creamy porridge, again this whisky is Bimberesque.
The Finish:
Pepper, spicy, vanilla oak. There is a lingering bitterness which goes on a little too long for my liking, but it doesn’t impact the experience. Still a bottle I would buy.
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Casks of Lindores II Bourbon
On the Nose:
Fresh & aromatic. pears and lemon based Neapolitan like ice cream. It's sherberty with a herb note towards the end.
On the Palate:
Vanilla chocolate cream once again, lemon sherbet, grape, crème Carmel’s, very fresh and palate cleansing with some spice. Again that wonderful Bimber note is there.
Lindores Abbey Friar John Cor Cask Strength Congregation - Chapter II Single Malt Scotch Whisky
On the Nose:
Sweet and Rich. Stewed Banana with Sultanas. Grape with a wine quality. Cinnamon and ginger spice. It has a touch of maritime with salt and a coastal earthiness.
On the Palate:
It starts with a sweet and spicy flavour of caramelised banana and a dusting of cinnamon, sherbet fizz leading to pear drops and a faint thread of smoke & salt powder.
With water the palate is Caramel sweet mince pies, lemon custard, pine nuts & dark Bournville cocoa powder.
The Finish:
It is peppery, creamy oak and lingering bitter. Water makes the pest pop on nose & palate, with more salt & lemony spice.
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All the whiskies tasted on the evening were great, however the core range MCDXCIV Single Malt Scotch Whisky at £49 was the standout, offering good value and a tasting experience that justified the price.