Whisky Facile is a properly revered whisky web site from Italy, began by Jacopo and Giacomo, now joined by different drinkers writers as properly. In 2021 they began their very own sequence of whisky bottlings (as a tenth anniversary celebration for the weblog, if I’m not mistaken), with stunning labels that rapidly caught my consideration due to their good color schemes, shocking form and intruiging quotes.
We’re making an attempt two older bottlings: Aultmore 2010 and Glen Elgin 2008 (each offered out) in addition to their brand-new undisclosed Orkney 2008.
The Aultmore was matured for 3 years in a sherry butt, adopted by 7 years in a sherry barrel (!) offered by González Byass.
Aultmore 10 yo 2010 ‘My title is no person’ (51,2%, Whisky Facile 2020, Sherry butt + PX sherry barrel #9918001, 159 btl.)
Nostril: raisins, hints of dried pineapple and cherry biscuits. After the preliminary fruity notes it will get earthier and spicier. Gingerbread, hazelnuts, hints of brown sugar and chilly espresso. A wee bitter be aware of moist tobacco. A little bit of musty oak as properly. This went in numerous instructions.
Mouth: the cherries are again, now extra as Ginjinha and plum eau-de-vie. There’s additionally fruit tea, extra leafy notes and extra sourness (pink berries). Hints of Seville oranges, walnuts, bitter chocolate and cloves. It comes reasonably near an outdated sherry brandy, though it lacks the sweetness and the physique they have an inclination to posess.
End: lengthy, however actually drying, with a harsh aspect. Bitter wooden and many roasted nuts.
I ponder how / why they got here up with a sherry barrel within the first place, and why they might use that to switch the butt. Anyway, this reeks of sherry wizardry and it’s not fully succesful in my view. Offered out.
Glen Elgin 12 yo 2008 ‘I give you centuries of sunshine’ (56,5%, Whisky Facile 2020, refill bourbon hogshead #653, 180 btl.)
Nostril: barely oily, with loads of yellow apples, ripe gooseberries, some cidery notes and grapefruits. Numerous falling leaves and drying grass, in addition to a light-weight honeyed be aware within the background.
Mouth: a remarkably waxy texture now, with the form of oiliness that you just’d count on in a lot older Speyside whiskies. Extra apples, quinces, some melons, candy citrus and hints of toffee and vanilla cream. It’s no fruit bomb nevertheless it does have a ripe, juicy be aware within the center. There’s a light-weight peppery be aware and a sophisticated woody be aware, which works rather well.
End: medium lengthy, nonetheless fairly rounded and fats, with vanilla, hay and citrus.
It is a basic Speyside profile that would trick into considering it was double the age. Nicely matured whisky that wants a while to open up – it can reward you with good fruits and waxy notes. Jogs my memory of the Whisky Trade bottling of late. No fuss, prime quality. Rating: 88/100
Orkney 13 yo 2008 ‘Mortals do you suppose we’re?’ (50,1%, Whisky Facile 2021, refill bourbon hogshead #66, 293 btl.)
Nostril: a reasonably light profile. Hints of chalk, moist pebbles, lamp oil and limoncello. Some gristy notes and really distant smoke. Candy lemons and rhubarb too. Much less highly effective than I anticipated, however that’s not a nasty factor.
Mouth: actually near the cereals now. Extra grist. The smoke is barely larger now, exhibiting some burnt heather and a wee rubbery be aware. Plasticine. Mild honey. Mineral oils and paraffin, in addition to some citrus zest. A salty edge in the direction of the end.
End: medium, on chalk, wax and hints of pepper.
The label mentions the ocean monsters Scylla and Cariddi, however that is no monster. It’s fairly light, fragrant and waxy. Properly completely different amidst the overload of undisclosed Highland Park releases. Nonetheless accessible from the Whisky Facile store. Rating: 87/100
