I lately attended the Nationwide Whisky Pageant at Eden Courtroom Theatre in Inverness. While there, I used to be pleasantly reminded of the emergence of a brand new distillery right here within the Scottish Highlands, and its younger however energetic product: that of GlenWyvis.
The distillery has a historical past in a way, maybe not direct, however fairly like a distant cousin who as soon as lived in the identical space, and possibly some household traits have been handed on. It’s from two native “misplaced” distilleries – which closed in 1926 – that the brand new distillery takes its identify: Ben Wyvis and Glenskiach. The brand new distillery lies within the shadows of the the Ben Wyvis Mountain and was fashioned by a fundraising train, with the primary spherical going reside in early 2016 and a second spherical in 2017. At present, the distillery could be very a lot a community-owned venture.
Like many youthful distilleries, the primary product to be launched was a gin. Bottled beneath the identify “Goodwill Gin,” and having been by some experimental maturation, this liquid continues to be out there. However, it was in the end the prospect of a single malt that made me hold my eyes peeled for a launch coming over the Kessock bridge from Ross-shire.
In 2021 it arrived: the inaugural launch, bottled with a distillation yr of 2018 and a bottling date in 2021, giving it a barely longer than three years’ interval in maturation. As for the wooden: data out there states there have been solely 18 casks crammed, with the make-up of the wedding being 80% Tennessee whiskey first fill barrels, 15% first fill Moscatel cask and 5% refill whisky casks. An fascinating wee combine; how did it maintain as much as the mixing?
GlenWyvis Batch 01/21 – Evaluation
50% ABV, non-chill filtered, no added color.
Color: Pale gold.
On the nostril: A delicate malty affect, barely spirity (it’s younger), vegetal, however floral/candy.
Within the mouth: A bit spirit ahead on the preliminary style, maybe greater than on the nostril, fruity, possibly plums? Or stewed prunes, however I hated that as a child and I’m type of having fun with it right here. There’s a particular essence of brown sugar. On the end: lingering, fruity, toffee towards the tip?
Conclusions:
Properly, it’s not dangerous, for a younger new whisky I’d go so far as to say it’s fairly good. I believe it’s a good illustration of Highland whisky; usually I’ll discover a heather word in Highland drams however possibly it’s hidden behind the youthful façade. Time will inform, I hope!
Not an costly bottle when launched (he inaugural launch was bought at approx £95 direct from distillery), however as is common with inaugural releases they have a tendency to shoot up after the preliminary sale interval (it’s now bought out and might command roughly £200 on secondary market). I’d name this an unimaginable dram to purchase now… until the pockets are deep, and my overview is admittedly for historic objective to steer you onward within the GlenWyvis journey.
Rating: 5/10
Batch 2 of the GlenWyvis spirt is taken into account the primary “main” bottling from the distillery. This launch was given a distinct maturation than the inaugural launch, made up from 23 casks this time, the wedding breakdown is: 60% Tennessee first fill, 25% First fill Oloroso, and 15% refill hogsheads. The better use of wine casks this time is fascinating.
GlenWyvis Batch 02/18 – Evaluation
46.5% ABV, non-chill filtered, no added color.
Color: Pale gold.
On the nostril: An identical malty affect initially to the nostril, floral, and a fruit juice sweetness.
Within the mouth: A distinction to the Inaugural in that I do know it’s younger, however the fruity affect is far better. Vanilla comes by however I can actually inform {that a} sherry has been right here; orchard fruits, maybe feels extra like a Speyside than a Highland malt! The end is lingering, with summer time berries, fruity resulting in bitter, but candy chocolate towards the tip?
Conclusions:
Elegant, younger, refreshing, welcoming, and guess what? It’s out there! This is a wonderful step in relation to the journey that GlenWyvis are heading out on. Sure, it’s nonetheless younger and little question others will discover issues that maybe don’t agree with them, however for me it’s a wee cracker, and at round £60 its definitely worth the splash.
Rating: 6/10
General Conclusions:
GlenWyvis is an instance of how somebody with a dream can affect others to get onboard and create a sustainable business in a comparatively small group. Their sustainability and community-based ethos is one thing they strongly promote throughout their model. Because the whisky factor of the corporate’s output turns into extra mainstream (it’s at the moment out there throughout Europe, the Gin has made the journey throughout to the USA, and hopefully the whisky will seem throughout the pond quickly) it is going to be fascinating to see how the liquid develops and matures. With solely two releases – and each with completely different cask utilization – once more I’ll be maintaining a tally of how they evoke change and distinction of their spirit.
Photographs courtesy of GlenWyvis.
