Johnnie Walker Red Rye Finish is the first release, back in 2016, of Johnnie Walker Blenders’s Batch range -A series of new, innovative and experimental whiskies, pushing the boundaries on what whisky is supposed to taste like.
NOSE
Caramel apples, Christmas spices and toasted almond that lingers on.
PALATE
Oaths, drysing spices, honey and orange peel.
FINISH
Still quite spicy on the finish, though layers of chocolate and fruit balance it out.
Purchase from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2X0fFDX
This whisky is aged in oak barrels for at least 16 years. It has the typical southern Islay peatiness and smokiness, however, it also offers a dryness; turning it into a very interesting drum.
NOSE
Intensely flavoured, peat smoke with iodine and seaweed. Also, a rich, deep sweetness.
PALATE
Dry peat smoke fills the palate with a gentle but strong sweetness, followed by sea and salt with touches of wood.
FINISH
A long, elegant peat-filled finish with lots of salt and seaweed.
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The name is a nod to their founder’s chance encounter with a man in the South of Spain, where he was introduced to Sherry for the first time.
Years later, John, the founder, was reacquainted with Sherry through whiskies aged in former Sherry casks, known for the rich, deep flavours they provide. It’s a style of whisky John has been drawn to ever since.
Released in batches, with the batch number shown on the back label, THE STORY OF THE SPANIARD is a tribute to Sherry’s broad spectrum of styles.
You will find a whisky that is full, soft and sumptuous on the palate with flavours of citrus peel and pears poached in red wine and spices.
It’s a whisky ideal for late evening sipping or stirring into a cocktail.
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Another great whisky from my beloved Compassbox. First released in 2006, Flaming Heart was the first whisky to combine the rich, complex spice of Scotch aged in new French oak with the evocative peat-red smoke of Islay malt.
It created a genre-defying style that was smouldering, spicy, complex – and so popular that Compassbox re-released it five more times in the following years.
In this 2018 edition, Compassbox has reintroduced a subtle sherry-cask influence that adds an additional layer of complexity and richness. A medium smoky-peaty base is enriched by a sweet maltiness and notes of baking spices and dried fruit.
It’s a whisky to enjoy late into the night, perfect served neat or paired with rich cheeses.
Glenfiddich Fire & Cane is a bold fusion of smoky and sweet notes. The marriage between peated whisky and malts matured in bourbon barrels and then the finish in Latin rum casks, an exquisite whisky was created with campfire smokiness and toffee sweetness.
NOSE
Billowing soft peat notes, like distant smoke on the wind. Rich sweet toffee with zesty fresh fruit notes and spiciness.
PALATE
Like a Highland peat campfire, with oak notes and toffee. Sharp green fruit, sweet baked apple and soft smoke.
FINISH
Lingering smokiness and sweetness.
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Malt Master Brian Kinsman travelled to Canada to meet a renowned winemaker in Niagara. There he learned how the grapes had to be picked by moonlight at -10˚C to produce the intensely sweet Icewine.
Upon his return to the Glenfiddich Distillery Brian started experimenting with several French oak Icewine casks from the Canadian winery, filling them with different Glenfiddich aged malts for up to six months. Only the rarer whiskies, those aged for 21 years, could cope with the extra Icewine intensity.
The taste is a perfect combination of both pioneering liquids, the heightened candied sweets and oakiness of Glenfiddich are complemented by mouth-watering tropical fruit notes and a luscious sweetness from the unique Icewine cask finish.
First released in October 2017, the long-awaited second batch is now available.
NOSE
A bouquet of tropical fruit and candied sweets are perfectly balanced with underlying wine notes.
PALATE
Soft sweet notes reminiscent of candied fruit and Turkish delight develop into flavours of mouth watering lychee. The fusion of sweet flavours is soon met with a rich drying sensation from the Icewine.
FINISH
Short and crisp. Purchase from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3eH5M4O
India Pale Ale and whisky? Indeed!
India Pale Ale and whisky? Indeed!
In the first experiment of its kind, Malt Master Brian Kinsman collaborated with Seb Jones, an entrepreneurial Speyside brewer, to create a new craft IPA and pioneer the way for a new kind of single malt Scotch whisky.
Brewed in bespoke craft IPA barrels, this single malt expression is imbued with unique zesty citrus notes of ripe green apple, William’s pear and spring blossom. Complemented by the subtle tang of fresh hops followed by a long lasting sweetness.
This malt is proof that remarkable feats can be achieved when great people get together.
NOSE
An elegant harmony of fresh green apple, William’s pear and spring blossom. Complemented with aromatic hops and fresh herbs.
PALATE
Vibrant with a zesty citrus note followed by creamy vanilla and a hint of fresh hops.
FINISH
Enduring sweetness with an echo of green hops. Purchase from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3dsFZMk
Twenty of the whisky industry’s most brilliant minds came together to create this truly unique, pioneering single malt expression.
With its deep golden hue, Project XX embodies the warm, fruity character of a classic Glenfiddich whisky with hints of apple blossom, summer fruits and ripe pear. However, Project XX’s multiple personalities are revealed with hints of sweet candyfloss, cinnamon spice, almonds and rich port tannins with the odd whisper of liquorice. Deep and mellow, the finish is long-lasting with a lingering sweet oakiness.
NOSE
Classic fruitiness with hints of apple blossom and plump pear. A perfect balance of rich vanilla oak with golden sugar and a touch of liquorice.
PALATE
Deep and mellow, the candyfloss sweetness is complemented by unusual notes of toasted almonds and cinnamon and a hint of crisp tannin.
FINISH
Long lasting with a savoured sweet oakiness.
Purchase from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2NrJ4S0
Scotland. The Caribbean.
Patiently matured for 21 years, this traditional Speyside whisky is rich and ripe with the Glenfiddich signature notes. Malt Master, Brian Kinsman, hand picks selected barrels and adds a sublime finishing touch.
By finishing this 21 Year Old in Caribbean rum casks it awakens the liquid, rousing it with extra exotic notes of ginger, fig, lime and banana and a vibrant spicy toffee warmth, elevating it from something great to something extraordinary.
NOSE
Intense and vanilla sweet. Floral, hints of banana, figs, rich toffee, new leather and oak.
PALATE
Initially soft, then brisk, vibrant and drying, peppery, a touch of smoke, oak, lime, ginger and spices.
FINISH
Very long, warming, dry and spicy.
Purchase from Amazon: https://amzn.to/37V6g4Q
Whiskey Lovers