We take a look at three of the current WhiskySponge releases.
First, there’s a multi-vintage Glen Grant from refill casks. Subsequent up is Ben Nevis 1996, already a slightly legendary title and classic.
Final however not least there may be Equilibrium II, in a sequence that appears for an ideal stability between peat and sherry (see our Equilibrium I overview). This time it’s a mixture of Edradour 2005 and Ballechin 2005, each from second fill sherry hogsheads.
Glen Grant 24 yo 1995 + 1997 (49,8%, WhiskySponge 2022, refill barrel + refill hogshead, 443 btl.)
Nostril: a inexperienced, vegetal begin. Ferns, vine leaf, hints of moss. Pencil lead. Vegetal oils. Then hints of inexperienced banana and apple, some cornflakes as properly. Drying grasses. Delicate biscuity notes and just a little ale too. All very pure and distillate-driven, however slightly unusual for its restrained fruitiness.
Mouth: nonetheless just a little inexperienced, with extra grassy notes and ginger, in addition to echoes of IPA. Some grapefruits, however not what I name a fruity whisky. Extra of those vegetal oils, damaged branches and leaves. Darkish brewed natural tea, together with a light bitter facet, even a barely ashy contact.
End: medium size, extra on spicy wooden now. Ginger, white pepper and inexperienced leafy notes.
This was a little bit of a shock, as I anticipated extra fruits from Glen Grant. As an alternative it’s targeted on inexperienced notes, herbs and grasses. Attention-grabbing, barely deviant whisky. Nonetheless out there from Decadent Drinks.
Ben Nevis 26 yo 1996 (50,1%, WhiskySponge 2022, refill hogshead, 213 btl.)
Nostril: pineapple and mango taking middle stage, with mead, candy lemons and every kind of waxy notes. Orange flavoured jelly slices. Then it strikes to lamp oil, beeswax and paraffin. Meadow flowers and apricot jam within the background. Actually good.
Mouth: oily arrival and the tropical fruits are then immediately. Thick mango syrup, pink grapefruit, hints of maracuja. All very ripe. Orange oils, with a brown sugar apple tarlet, leafy / natural notes and a few toasted wooden in direction of the top. One of many extra sherry influenced examples, I’d say, with a pleasant trace of rancio and outdated wooden.
End: lengthy, with hints of natural tea, a refined trace of tobacco and a few fruity echoes.
Actually good: this has all of the tropical fruits we’ve come to count on from the 1996 classic, butit additionally provides complexity from the cask. Good refill (sherry?) character. Bought out, I imagine. Rating: 91/100
Equilibrium II 16 yo (55%, WhiskySponge 2022, second fill sherry hogsheads)
Nostril: second fill stability certainly. Candy leathery notes, redcurrant jam, roasted pineapples and hints of cherries. Whiffs of copper polish. On the opposite facet there may be coal smoke, cecina meat and wonderful pipe tobacco. Some espresso and caramel sweets within the background.
Mouth: good cherries and chestnut honey, alongside darkish chocolate and light-weight natural notes. Peat smoke and barbecue ashes are nonetheless there, however they discover a good stability with the fruity sourness and a inexperienced spicy be aware. Grassy malt. Then some hints of bitter almond and liquorice too.
End: lengthy, with leather-based, extra coal, hints of marmalade and tobacco.
This can be a tad lighter and extra elegant than Equilibrium I. Whereas sherried Ballechin may be overwhelming when it comes to peat and sherry, that is really very drinkable. Extra Equilibrium certainly. Nonetheless out there from Decadent Drinks. Rating: 88/100
