LOWLANDS TASTING

Auchentoshan has dominated the region in recent years, partly due to so many of their Lowlands brethren being mothballed in the 1990s.  So, it was nice to dive into some of the new, as well as, returning distilleries.  Next time we could even have some new Rosebank!

* FLIGHT ONE *

Expression 1
 Highland Harvest Sauternes Finish 
 

Background: An independent bottler known for its organic scotch whiskies.  Where their single malt comes from is not disclosed on the bottle.  A lazy man could assume that it's from the Highlands.  That same man could also assume that Highland Park comes from the Highlands as well. 👀  Since this expression won the 2015 World Whisky Award for Best Lowland Single Malt, I'll go with Lowlands.

Stats: Organic.  Finished in Sauternes Casks.  ABV = 46%. Bottled 2017.

Tasting Notes: This was our "opener" - a basic single malt to get the palate acclimated. The nose was interesting in a sugary, spicy way.  Taste drifted towards soft honey with a nutty quick finish. 

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Pour?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	NO	NO

Expression 2
 Daftmill 2006 Summer Batch - 11 Year 

"Crafted by the honest,
simple, hard-working indigenous
peoples of... wherever." 

Background: Part-time craft distillery located on a family-owned farm that grows barley.  They've only released two expressions, both in 2018,  this being their second. Current retail per bottle is, well... daft.  And asking price for their inaugural offering is almost daft and a half.  Seems like the image they are going for is craft beer distiller or artisan winery. 

Stats: First Fill Bourbon, ex-Heaven Hill. Limited to 1665 bottles. ABV = 46%.  Bottled 2018.

Tasting Notes: Nose presents spicy cinnamon and powdered sugar.  Herbal, mineral taste plus grapefruit without the bitter.  Overall I'm missing the expected bourbon notes.  Quick finish. Definitely interested in future releases, but the conclusion on this offering is a new distillery still finding their way.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
NO	NO	NO

Expression 3
 Bladnoch Samsara 

Background:  
Founded in 1817, Bladnoch is the southern most distillery in Scotland.  Since the 1950s, operations have ceased and continued just as often as ownership changes.  This No Age Statement expression was bottled by the current proprietor as part of their 200th Anniversary Series.

Stats: California Red Wine and Bourbon Casks.  NAS. ABV = 46.7%.  Bottled 2017.
 

Tasting Notes: Admittedly, I had low expectations for this one, so that may have contributed to being pleasantly surprised.  Nose is creamy and malty while the mouthfeel was rich, oily and buttery.   The master distiller did a fantastic job of blending and balancing the flavors from red wine casks and bourbon barrels.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

Expression 4
 Ailsa Bay (Batch #1) 

Background: Girvan, a successful grain distillery since 1963, is back in the single malt game with their Ailsa Bay expressions.  (Why they didn't call it Ladyburn like their prior single malt can only be answered by a team of crack marketing gurus.)   Construction began in 2007 and officially opened in 2009.

Stats: Bourbon Cask. NAS. ABV = 48.9%. Bottled 2015/16. 
 

Tasting Notes: Peated Lowland!! So looking forward to this one. Peat nose with honey sugar.  While their second offering is subtitled 'Sweet Smoke', this one should be called 'Sweet Peat'.  It's basic peated malt aged in bourbon casks just like a Laphroaig, but with a lighter finish, and no medicinal qualities to mention.  Smooth and drinkable all day long.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

Expression 5
 Glenkinchie 12 Year Limited Edition 


 

Background: Established in 1837, Glenkinchie, along with Auchentoshan, are the only two Lowlands distilleries that have been continuously operating since World War II.  This one-time release may have inspired the regular 10 Year to be discontinued in favor of a regular non-cask strength 12 Year.

Stats: Limited Edition #1904/5010. ABV = 58.7%. Bottled 2004. 
 

Tasting Notes: Spice and nutmeg on the nose.  Rich, dense toffee coffee on the taste.  The finish is long as expected with the higher ABV and even remains that way even after adding a few drops of water.   

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

* FLIGHT TWO *

Expression 1
 Bladnoch 12 Year Sherry Matured 

Background: From the hideous label you can probably tell that we're jumping back to a previous regime.  After being closed in 1993, Bladnoch reopened in 2000.  Twelve years or so later, this expression was released,  only to find the company out of business again in 2014.  Luckily the distillery was rescued by an Australian entrepreneur in 2015.

Stats:  Sherry Cask. ABV = 46%. Bottled ~2013. 
 

Tasting Notes: A lovely sherry nose that smells hotter than 46%.  Typical sherry notes, oily and chocolatey.  Overall, just what you would want from a 12 Year Sherry.  Too bad this one went away when the previous owners had to liquidate.  All the blame most likely goes to the poor label design.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	NO

Expression 2
 CWC Lowland - Ailsa Bay #AB004  

Background: This Lowland bottling from the Creative Whisky Company comes from the Ailsa Bay distillery.  CWC is best known for its Exclusive Malts, Exclusive Casks, and, Exclusive Range brands.

Stats: NAS.  Cask #AB004.  ABV = 50 %. Bottled 2017.
 

Tasting Notes: Unlike the prior distillery expression, this one is not peated.  It has an interesting meringue nose and that's about it.  Taste is very nice and pleasant, but one note, basic Lowlands. The finish has a bit of a glazed donut appeal.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
NO	NO	NO

Expression 3
 1991 Glenkinchie 24 Year 

Background: One of the overpriced annual Diageo Special Releases.

Stats: Refill European Oak Butts.  Limited Edition #1904/5928.  ABV = 52.7%. Bottled 2016.
 

Tasting Notes: Confection sugar nose - the sugary smell of a bakery.  The refill sherry offers subtle syrupy notes along with salted butter.  Well balanced and complex.  Much more tasty than expected - it's just too bad the suggested retail on these is so high.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	NO

Expression 4
 SMWS 5.61 - 2000 Auchentoshan 16 Year 

Background: One of the few triple distilled whiskies in Scotland, unlike Ireland where that's the norm. Our whisky group had already dedicated two full tastings to Auchentoshan, so that's why the distillery is mostly absent from this one. 

Stats: 1st Fill PX Hogshead. ABV =  57.7%. Bottled 2017.
 

Tasting Notes: Ending on a high note here with a cask strength PX!  Starts off with a surprising coconut shrimp barbecue nose which trends towards sweet honey BBQ on the taste.  Super complex with a big range and long finish.  Appears that we saved the best for last!  But it was close - didn't think the Glenkinchie 24 could be topped.  

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

[Tasting conducted with the Sneaky Trips Tasting Group which consists of Whisk(e)y Enthusiasts ranging from Beginner to Advanced.  Tastings are held monthly and are usually 8 Expressions based on a particular theme.]