Highland

The Deveron Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 12 Years
40% ABV
$45

What the Distillery Says:
John Dewar & Sons Ltd. has announced the release of The Deveron single malt which hails from MacDuff distillery, located on the northern edge of Aberdeenshire.

The new expressions of THE DEVERON® 10 year-old, THE DEVERON® 12 year-old and THE DEVERON® 18 year-old have never been released before now and will be available from October 2015.

Located where the river meets the sea, Macduff distillery sits near the mouth of the River Deveron, shortly before its cool waters join the restless surge of the North Sea. Sheltered from the worst of the seaboard storms and winter winds, this tranquil spot has seen the creation of The Deveron malt whisky for many a decade.

A comparatively modern distillery – its spirit first began to flow in 1960 – Macduff was brought into being mainly for the purpose of supplying malt whisky to the blending industry. It was commissioned by a consortium of four businessmen, who called themselves Glen Deveron Distillers Ltd.

Emanating from five small copper pot stills, and unusual horizontal condensers that gently coax extra character from the spirit, The Deveron is an approachable dram which has a tang of coastal air about it. The distillery is set up for a light, fruity spirit that’s replete with apple tones and nutty notes.

Stephen Marshall, Bacardi’s Global Marketing Manager – Single Malts remarks: “The final one. We’ve done it and it tastes great. People underestimate the quality of whisky that can be made at a comparatively modern distillery, this is really top notch stuff. Get yourself up to Macduff, or if you can’t then stick Local Hero on the telly and pour yourself a dram”.

The new portfolio consists of three age statements, each bottled at 40% ABV: The Deveron 10 Years Old (only available in France), The Deveron 12 Years Old and The Deveron 18 Years Old. Each expression has been launched in selected markets around the world including Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, Sweden, Taiwan, United States and United Kingdom.

Tasting Notes
When billows break and haar ghosts in, then haste ye home or some bit warm, Unwind with toasted grain and apples, seaborne spice; calm from the storm.

THE DEVERON hails from Macduff distillery, found beside the River Deveron just before it meets the North Sea. Sheltered from those restless waters and the worst winter winds, this tranquil spot offers calm from the storm; the perfect place to craft a mellow fireside malt.

Distillation employs five small copper pot stills and unusual horizontal condensers which are arranged for a light and fruity spirit. The result is a rare coastal whisky which holds the tang of shoreline air alongside sturdy apple notes, dried fruits and nutty warmth.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Baked apple tarts and malt-o-meal.
Palate: Sweet, nutty apple dumplings drizzled with butterscotch syrup overlaid with a grassy freshness.
Finish: Dry, nutty, woody, and slightly chalky.
Comments: This dram makes me think of the fall apple harvest. I think of apple cider, apple cider donuts, and apple pie at Mercier Orchards (if you’re a Georgia local). A tasty whiskey for sure. And additional kudos for Bacardi shining the light on this underrepresented malt.
Rating: Stands Out

We would like to thank Bacardi for sending over a sample for our review.

Royal Brackla Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 12 Years
40% ABV
$75
Website

What the Distillery Says:
John Dewar & Sons Ltd. has unveiled a new range of proprietary bottlings from Royal Brackla distillery, one of Scotland’s oldest and most venerable distilleries.

The new expressions of this regal single malt, ROYAL BRACKLA® 12 year-old, ROYAL BRACKLA® 16 year-old and ROYAL BRACKLA® 21 year-old will be available initially in 10 markets from September 2015; a regal opportunity to savour whisky fit for a King.

Standing on the fertile farmland of the Cawdor Estate, Royal Brackla Distillery was established in 1812 by the fiery Captain William Fraser who returned to the family farm after military service and took advantage of the fine barley it grew. Within 25 years his distillery’s reputation for spirit of sterling taste received its crowning moment when King William IV bestowed ‘Royal’ status to Brackla, in 1835. It thus became the first ever Scotch to garner a royal warrant, a revelation that led to its nickname: ‘The King’s Own Whisky’.

Traditional production techniques help to protect a distilling heritage that spans more than two centuries and preserves the unparalleled quality of a rather special spirit. To allow for the development of intriguing complexity and fruitiness, extra time is taken at the fermentation stage, which acts for up to 80 hours; far longer than most Scottish distilleries.

The notably tall stills run at an unusually slow pace. Their height allows plenty of reflux, with the leisurely nature of the operation increasing the contact that the spirit shares with copper, thus filtering out unwanted sulphury notes. Instead, delicate and lightly perfumed notes of grass and green foliage develop, alongside inviting fruity aromas. Crucially, the whisky is finished in premium first-fill sherry casks, enriching it with notes of muscovado sweetness and dates, alongside opulent walnuts.

Stephen Marshall, Bacardi’s Global Marketing Manager – Single Malts says: “This is the one that was described as ‘The Drink Divine’ by the Royal household in the 1830s, that’s no small claim, so we had to take our time and the entire team have done an amazing job that really does justice to Royal Brackla’s incredible heritage. There’s only one whisky in the world that can be the first Royal whisky, I feel privileged to have worked on this”.

The new portfolio consists of three age statements, each bottled at 40% ABV: Royal Brackla 12 Years Old, Royal Brackla 16 Years Old and Royal Brackla 21 Years Old. Each expression has been launched in 10 initial markets around the world including Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, Sweden, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States and Global Travel Retail.

Tasting Notes: Salute a superior Scotch: almonds, vine fruits, opulent spices; steeped in sherried richness. Ennobled nectar, fit for a king.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Green, nutty, herbal, and vegetal. The sherry is more understated on the nose but it is there too.
Palate: Oven toasted almonds, sherry forward, and Granny Smith apples.
Finish: Nutty and slightly spicy finish of medium length.
Comments: In recent years my tastes have moved more towards the robust kick that I find in higher proof whiskeys. This Royal Brackla is a bit of an enigma. It punches well above it’s weight for an 80 proofer. It is a nice, easy drinking, and versatile malt. It is great to see more single malts coming from the Dewar’s stable. I’m excited to try more.
Rating: Stands Out

We would like to thank Bacardi for sending over a sample for our review.

Glenmorangie Tusail Private Edition Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
46% ABV
$100 to $115
Website

What the Distillery Says:
The 6th release from Glenmorangie’s award-winning Private Edition, Tùsail is the product of a carefully-selected parcel of Maris Otter barley, floor-malted by hand using traditional techniques, and non chill-filtered.

A rich winter variety of barley first introduced in 1965, Maris Otter was bred specifically to meet the demand for a high quality brewing malt and recognized for its ability to impart rich, rustic malty flavours. Now used only by a select few who continue, like Glenmorangie, to uphold an ethos of sacrificing yield for quality by using only the finest ingredients, the result is a whisky celebrating the variety’s renowned taste profile.

Tasting Notes
Aroma: Deep earthy, robust aromas of malty, biscuity tones, with a backbone of nut toffee.
Taste: A rich, rustic profile of nut toffee, sweet barley malt, ginger, cinnamon, and dates in molasses complements more familiar Glenmorangie notes of peaches, oranges and smoked pears.
Finish: Tùsail lingers on with a mouth-coating finish.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Sweet and grainy. Apple pie, wet oak , and overly sweetened iced coffee.
Palate: Sweet and oily with notes of molasses cookies, pear tart, cloves, and honey.
Finish: Dry and herbal.
Comments: It’s funny because when you get into the whiskey there is a lot of depth but if you dip your finger in for a quick taste you would swear it’s beer. This is one of those interesting whiskies that is more of an oddity to explore at a good whisky bar rather and a bottle of your own.
Rating: Stands Out

Balblair Highland Single Malt Scotch Whiskey 1983 Vintage
46% ABV
$285
Website

What the Distillery Says:
Matured in American oak ex-bourbon barrels, Balblair Vintage 1983 is a rich, warm dram, combining all core Balblair characteristics. Only just launched to replace the 2nd release of 1975 this stunning dram is sure to be just as popular as its predecessor.

Tasting Notes

Appearance: The first release of Balblair 1983 has a rich golden appearance.
Aroma: On the nose there are warm aromas of butterscotch, toffee and vanilla that come from the long years of maturation in American oak ex-bourbon barrels. Citrus fruits can also be detected in the aroma adding to the complexity of this exceptional Vintage.
Palate: On the palate it is sweet and spicy; with overtones of fresh fruits and honey.
Finish: A long, warming and full bodied finish.

What Richard Says:
Nose: There is surprisingly (for a scotch this old) lightness to this with interplay of fruity and floral. Later it develops into vanilla, lemon drops, butterscotch and egg custard.
Palate: Again, surprisingly light and delicate. Honey sweetness drizzled over poached fruit. then it goes to all bourbon barrel vanilla tinged wood spice moving into the finish.
Finish: A tart woodiness that I’m not a fan of with cinnamon dusted raw wood.
Comments: As I continue to get older it is rarer that I get to drink whisky nearly as old as I am. While still a few years shy of me this one comes close. Sadly, this one doesn’t really do it for me. Of the four Balblairs we received samples of it was the 1999 and 1990, both sherry finished, that really stood out. The 1983, in all it’s bourbon cask woodiness has it’s highlights but it doesn’t jump out and grab you like the two younger expressions from the 1990’s. If it were me i would grab that 1990 and two 1999’s rather than drop the coin on the 1983.
Rating: Stands Out

We would like to thank Lukasz with Alembic Communications for sending over the review sample.