Scottish Whisky

Rock Oyster Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

46.8% ABV
$50
Website

What the Producer Says

Prise open a rock oyster and you’d be lucky indeed to find a pearl. The real treasure though is the hidden, tasty delicacy inside, rich with the flavours of the sea. Bottled at 46.8% alcohol strength and traditionally without colouring or chill-filtration, this Small Batch bottling has a truly maritime and oceanic character of sea-salt, sweet peat, smoke, honey and pepper. Containing the finest Malt Whiskies from Scotland’s Whisky islands, including those distilled on Islay, Arran, Orkney and Jura, it’s no wonder our Master Blender Fred Laing says “If I could select just one dram to transport the Whisky enthusiast to the Islands of Scotland, it would be this Rock Oyster.”

TASTING NOTES
NOSE: Anticipate wave soaked rocks and a salty oceanic, fresh influence. A hint of peat smoke, and an enticing sweetness.

PALATE: An initially subtle palate that carries soft and rather sweet peat paralleled with smoke, honey, damp ash and develops with liquorice and late pepper.

FINISH: The maritime is neatly replicated on the long, moreish finish.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Strolling along a Scottish coast; soft sea mist with iodine, subtle peat, damp hay over a hint of dried fruit.
Palate:  Soft and smooth entry with honey and barley sugar that builds in intensity; sweetness evolves to a citric, sour candy note as peat and pepper spice join in.
Finish:  Moderately long with lingering peat and freshly cracked pepper.
Comments:  I really dig the nose on this whisky; while there isn’t anything I dislike in the palate – this is one where I enjoy nosing more than drinking. If you’re a fan of that medicinal, peaty, salty Islay style – I don’t think you’ll be disappointed..

Rating: Stands Out

Compass Box The Double Single – 2017 Release

46% ABV
$160 – $180
Website

What the Blender Says

‘Less is More’– Anon
How many components are required to create true
complexity in a Blended Scotch Whisky?

For Double Single, instead of using many tens of component whiskies we have used just two – one single grain whisky and one single malt whisky (hence the name). Both are beautiful liquids in their own right, but we believe they are elevated above the sum of their parts when combined in the correct proportions.

Such thinking runs strongly counter to the blending strategies evident in the larger, commercial Blended Scotch releases that dominate the whisky market worldwide, where many dozens of components can often be found within a single blend. So why do things differently?

We believe that when using components of the highest quality, less is often more. That the interaction between a single grain and a single malt can be every bit as good – better even – than either a more complex blend or the component tasted on its own. Above all, share & enjoy.

FLAVOUR DESCRIPTORS
In The Double Single we have combined single malt whisky from the Glen Elgin distillery and single grain whisky from the Girvan distillery. The elegantly complex, ethereal malt whisky character is balanced on a decadent cushion of rich, sweet, vanilla-tinged grain whisky character.

AVAILABILITY
Limited Edition release of 5,838 bottles worldwide. Bottled March 2017.

BOTTLING DETAILS
Bottled at 46%. Not chill-filtered. Natural colour.

RECOMMENDATIONS
The combination is a deeply satisfying yet versatile whisky, perfect served as a rich aperitif before a winter’s dinner, or as a rewarding post-prandial any time of year.

LEAD BLENDER
John Glaser

72% malt whisky from Glen Elgin, aged in re-charred ex-bourbon hogshead
28% grain whisky from Girvan, aged in re-charred ex-bourbon barrels

What Gary Says

Nose:  Thick honeysuckle, vanilla spongecake with baked apples, apricot marmalade, slightly nutty with notes of worn leather.
Palate:  Thick and viscous mouthfeel as the nose suggests, honey custard with exotic orange, fresh apples and cooked pears with a dusting of cinnamon.
Finish:  Fairly long with a bit of spice and vanilla as it trails off.
Comments:  This is a lovely, although nuanced dram. For me, this is one I like to spend some time with, coaxing the different elements out with a couple drops of water periodically.
While the majority of this is malt rather than grain, it has that gentle subtlety that you find with older single grain whiskies (and some older single malts as well). I’ve been a fan of almost everything John Glaser has done, although I generally prefer the more robust offerings. But if you’re in the mood for an elegant, pondering pour – this is pretty delicious.

Rating: Stands Out