As we speak we’re attempting two bottlings by the German store Whiskyjace. One is a 2001 Blended Malt, one thing we’ve seen on quite a few events, from Thompson Bros / Whisky Company / Mancarella and so forth..
The opposite one says Ruadh Mhor 2010 on the label. If that doesn’t ring a bell, I can let you know that yearly Glenturret produces an especially restricted quantity of closely peated spirit. This fiery model is called Ruadh Maor or Ruadh Mhor.
The third one is simply out, a Caol Ila 2008 from a refill hogshead, completed in a smaller sherry octave (however nonetheless very mild in color).
Speyside Blended Malt 19 yo 2001 (45,2%, Whiskyjace ‘Artwork Version 02’ 2021, first fill sherry cask, 60 btl.)
Nostril: chocolaty sherry, with almonds and walnuts, mocha and leafy notes. Hints of menthol. Some darkish raisins and plums in second row, in addition to some cherries on syrup. Lovage and black tea.
Mouth: extra of those chocolate notes, with drops of espresso, natural liqueurs and black peppercorns. Darkish and pretty savoury, though there’s a touch of (burnt) fruitcake. Earthy touches within the background. Tobacco and overinfused tea as nicely.
End: medium, not getting leathery and dry. Cocoa and tobacco.
A basic sherry affect, quite on the savoury and chocolaty facet. All positive, reasonably priced and simple to love. Round € 100 from Whiskyjace.
Ruadh Mhor 11 yo 2010 (52,6%, Whiskyjace ‘Artwork Version 01’ 2021, first fill sherry cask, 60 btl.)
Nostril: quite pungent, with burning leaves, peppercorns and fragrant eucalyptus, in addition to a salt & vinegar sourness within the background. Burnt wooden, hints of tar, smoked chalk and engine oils, but in addition a darkish sweetness to spherical off the tough edges.
Mouth: plenty of tarry notes once more, with Dutch liquorice, roots and charcoal. The salty facet is noticeable, combating a sweeter malty facet. Some nutty notes, sourness, scorched earth and loads of tobacco. Fairly a powerhouse.
End: medium, dry
Fairly an expertise. There’s one thing ‘do-it-yourself’ to it, in a method that jogs my memory of mezcal. A number of earthy / smoke notes with a sourness to it. Round € 85 from Whiskyjace. Rating: 85/100
Caol Ila 12 yo 2008 (57,8%, Whiskyjace ‘Artwork Version 03’ 2021, refill hogshead + sherry octave end, 107 btl.)
Nostril: the sherry imparted some sweetness however no dried fruits and such. Dried seaweed, spicy bread loaf, with pine resin and mentholated notes. Basic mercurochrome, smoke and damp newspaper. Candy lemon juice and ginger lemonade. Delicate vanilla too.
Mouth: dialed up when it comes to oakiness (white pepper, some grassy touches) and almond sweetness, albeit with a lightweight tangy facet. Lemons and ginger, candy apple within the background. Sharper peat, rockpools and chalk as nicely.
End: lengthy, nonetheless fairly spicy, with delicate smoke, candied ginger and a touch of sourdough.
A barely stress cooked model of Caol Ila. I’m undecided I might select this over a extra pure model, however an attention-grabbing variation. Round € 120 from Whiskyjace. Rating: 86/100
