The Whisky Jury is three years outdated already and celebrated with an undisclosed Islay Single Malt 1989. I’ve written lyrically about related casks earlier than, so now we have actually excessive hopes!
On the identical time a brand new Ben Nevis 1996 is launched, unique to Asia. Joeri already defined that reserving casks to sure markets helps him handle demand and preserve all his followers pleased.
Islay Single Malt 32 yo 1989 (52,1%, The Whisky Jury 2022, refill barrel #4416139, Third anniversary, 269 btl.)
Nostril: oh man, these casks are so good! There’s the sharpness of iodine, germolene and seashells, but additionally rounder marzipan notes and the intensely refreshing mentholated notes and bandages. All types of natural notes too, walnuts and loads of gouache. Linseed oil. The farmy Brora-like contact and moist sheep are current as properly. Ace.
Mouth: terrific depth. Nonetheless this medicinal and coastal sharpness, adopted by polished leather-based and varnished woods, walnuts and brine. Gentle floral high notes. Inexperienced lemon peels, black pepper and natural tea. Seawater runs by way of it as properly. Hints of gentian, grapefruit and resins too. Actually vibrant and punchy.
End: lengthy, resinous, with seared lemons, inexperienced leafy notes, brine and chilly ashes. A couple of drops of cod liver oil too.
Terrific – the mix of Islay depth and the complexity that solely comes with excessive age is simply excellent. Nice choice and hip, hip, hooray certainly. Price monitoring down.
Ben Nevis 26 yo 1996 (48,5%, The Whisky Jury 2022, refill hogshead #522, bottled for Asia, 257 btl.)
Nostril: a really waxy profile – a variety of lemon balk and candle wax. Additionally hints of clay and chalk at first. It takes some time however finally there’s additionally a typical pineapple and vanilla notes. A few drops of water assist to open it up. Tangerines and honey. Later it returns to moist wool and moist chalk.
Mouth: oily however far more fruity now, with lovely pineapple, ripe mango and papaya, in addition to loads of waxy notes and a rising sort of ‘outdated herb’ observe (nearly medicinal) and mint leaves. Polished wooden, with a delicate bitterness and chalk as properly. Fairly salty too. A novel mixture of funkiness and sheer attraction.
End: lengthy, on candy herbs and liquorice, with drops of honey and traces of fruits.
On the nostril this focuses on the waxy aspect, leaving us somewhat upset maybe. Nonetheless when you’re sipping it, the tropical fruits and natural aspect elevate this to surprising heights. Possibly not as pure and shiny as a number of the different casks, however actually advanced and intruiging. This can most likely arrive in Asia quickly – examine thewhiskyjury.com for an inventory of outlets. Rating: 90/100
