Earlskine is a collection began by Andreas and Christian in Germany. They’re working the Whisky Erlebnis store and began as an impartial bottler in 2020. To this point the collection accommodates three releases. We’ll attempt all of them as we speak.
First up is a Bunnahabhain from a primary fill sherry cask. Then we’ve a younger Ledaig 2010, additionally from a sherry cask however apparently exhibiting a really gentle color. The final one is a Benriach 1999 completed in a Port cask. This can be a brand-new launch.
Bunnahabhain 11 yo 2009 (50,2%, Earlskine 2020, first fill sherry cask, 130 btl.)
Nostril: begins on candy wooden, in a properly fragrant approach. A whole lot of cigar bins. Then brass polish, hints of a bodega in Jerez and a few natural tea. Darkish berry sweetness beneath, with raisins, dates and a whiff of chocolate. Walnuts and chestnuts. Refined tobacco and candle wax too. This can be a very nice composition.
Mouth: once more fairly an lively cask apparently, bringing alongside some warmth. Cinnamon and pepper, hints of clove too, however raisins and chocolate as nicely. Dry tobacco notes, walnuts and a maritime trace. Minty notes and leather-based in the long run. Spicy sherry is dominating the fruits right here, however expertly so.
End: fairly lengthy, with a refined leafy sourness, blackberries, walnuts and darkish chocolate.
A very nice sherry bomb, in a really fragrant type that has numerous sweetness and dryness on the identical time. If you happen to like tobacco, leather-based and spice, that is for you. Nonetheless obtainable from Whisky Erlebnis and different retailers.
Ledaig 9 yo 2010 (59,2%, Earlskine 2020, sherry cask, 144 btl.)
Nostril: smouldering leaves and campfires, with carbolic notes, smoked sea salt and hints of fried automobile wiring. Greater than a success of diesel. Tweed jackets, straw and burnt bread crust within the background, in addition to candy yellow fruits and a really refined mentholated be aware.
Mouth: very highly effective, with a punchy assault, medicinal smoke and hints of tar and burnt herbs. Scorching peppers, some mint once more. Then additionally a shiny fruity be aware (grapefruit, or perhaps scorched pineapple). Gherkins. Hints of mustard and anchovies. Some good notes of smoked olive oil too.
End: lengthy, smoky and natural. An enormous sprint of seawater alongside black pepper and lemons.
Ledaig in an Ardbeggian type. It packs plenty of punch and would simply trick you into pondering this was Islay whisky, due to the beneficiant medicinal and deeply coastal notes. The sherry cask might have added some sweetness, however doesn’t actually come ahead. Actually good worth for cash. Obtainable from Whisky Erlebnis. Rating: 89/100
BenRiach 21 yo 1999 ‘The Spider’ (52,9%, Earlskine 2021, Port Cask End, 174 btl.)
Nostril: cranberries and cherries up entrance, with oranges and apricot jam behind them. Additionally barely aromatic notes (trace of potpourri and recent oak shavings), most likely from the preliminary bourbon maturation. Then some tobacco notes, pink grapefruit peels and candied ginger. Mild hints of chocolate. Fragrant and barely woody, however not too evidently Port-ed, good.
Mouth: an lively cask once more, with a extra funky and winey character now. The bitter cherries and cranberries are again, with hints of lemon peels and marmalade. Then loads of oak spice: ginger, pepper and clove, giving it a natural and bitter edge.
End: fairly lengthy, with the oak spice sticking round, alongside candied ginger and a resinous contact.
This seems to be an unpeated Port end, whereas a lot of the comparable Benriachs appear to be peated. It’s properly fragrant however turns into fairly winey within the mouth, not capable of conceal its Port affect. Briefly, not my favorite on this session. Obtainable from Whisky Erlebnis. Rating: 82/100
