The Classic Cask sequence from Mossburn Distillers & Blenders (quickly a lot better generally known as the house owners of Torabhaig) is a set of small-batch whiskies from particular vintages. Lately they offered the fifth batch which consists of three new releases, all from the 2007 classic.
We have now Auchroisk matured in refill hogsheads and completed in Bordeaux barrels for one 12 months. Subsequent is Craigellachie matured in ex-bourbon barrels and completed in Oloroso hogsheads. Lastly there’s additionally Macduff completed in Ruby Port hogsheads. Fairly a various trio.
Auchroisk 14 yo 2007 (46%, Mossburn ‘Classic Casks’ 2021, Bordeaux barrel #10.0407.30)
Nostril: begins on earthy notes with vanilla and malty notes. Hints of outdated wine barrels and black peppercorns. Additionally a refined layer of raspberries and cranberries on prime. Barely bitter apple and fizzy sherbet too. The wine is just not overtaking the whisky, good.
Mouth: identical stability. The Auchroisk spirit is reasonably gentle, displaying apples and malty notes, refined toffee and hints of honey. Then there’s a trace of berries and floral pepper. A frivolously tannic feeling of grape pith, oak and aniseed in the direction of the tip.
End: medium size, on bitter berries, with a touch of earthy char and darkish chocolate.
Gentle and nice on the nostril, with good depth from the pink wine barrel. Alternatively it doesn’t really feel fully balanced within the mouth. To sum up, an honest wine end. Out there from The Whisky Trade or Grasp of Malt as an illustration.
Craigellachie 13 yo 2007 (46%, Mossburn ‘Classic Casks’ 2021, Oloroso hogshead #12.1207.28)
Nostril: a extra weight and barely extra basic profile than the Auchroisk. Raisins and fruit cake stand out, with autumnal notes like mulchy leaves. A whiff of gun smoke as properly. Vivid orange peels and chocolate dipped hazelnuts within the background.
Mouth: candy and spicy, with a pleasant texture. There’s some blackcurrant jam and toffee, in addition to cappucino. Black peppercorns. Drops of cough syrup. Tobacco leaves and a touch of leather-based. It’s a meaty spirit, which pairs properly with the sherry.
End: medium, on oak spice, chocolate and extra tobacco leaves.
A really sturdy, meaty model of whisky (worm tubs…) which lends itself to a sherry end. Regardless of the heavy weight, that is fairly wealthy and autumnal. Out there from The Whisky Trade or Grasp of Malt as an illustration. Rating: 85/100
Macduff 14 yo 2007 (56,4%, Mossburn ‘Classic Casks’ 2021, Ruby Port hogshead #05.1107.29)
Nostril: it’s the floral, fruity facet of Port wine. Violet sweet, toffee, pink apple, combined with biscuits. A refined smoky, leathery contact. Dried grassy notes. Lastly a aromatic, virtually soapy notice too. This goes in numerous instructions, laborious to pin down.
Mouth: not my model. The excessive ABV combines with a lot of punchy pepper and clove. Blackberry leaves and jammy plums, however at all times with this aromatic edge. Then ginger and a bittersweet woody notice. An excessive amount of wine for me.
End: medium size, spicy and winey. Some stewed fruits within the background, however they fail to return out.
This crosses the road of turning into too winey for my part. In any case not for me, however Port end lovers might disagree. Now out there from The Whisky Trade or Grasp of Malt as an illustration. Rating: 78/100
