In latest weeks on Malt, I’ve sampled a spread of blends produced by indie bottlers.
As I’ve acknowledged in these evaluations, I’m more and more leaning to those blends due their normal good worth and constant top quality. My idea stays unchanged: the bottler isn’t going to launch these till they’re prepared, and in the event that they suppose they’re good.
This isn’t Johnnie Walker Black with an infinite worldwide market with a voracious urge for food that must be fed. There is no such thing as a exterior stress or demand for these bottlings; if they arrive, they arrive, in the event that they don’t, they don’t. In the event that they disappear from cabinets some eyebrows could also be raised, however for not more than a second.
The bottle reviewed at this time, Thompson Brothers SRV5 Over 8 12 months Outdated Blended Malt is the truth is the primary I’ve ever bought by way of an public sale web site. Australia does have a well-run and provided whisky public sale web site, even when just a few of the bottles begin to look very same-ish month after month.
Since I began partaking with the positioning I’ve had just a few half-hearted flutters on some older blends however fell quick. Subsequently, it was with a modicum of shock that I took a punt on this bottle on the reserve whereas on vacation in Bali just lately and got here again – after a giant day of rest by the pool – to find that I had gained it. I wasn’t even positive I actually wanted or wished it, however what was carried out was carried out.
The total story of the Thompson Brothers (Phil and Simon) doesn’t have to be retold right here, however briefly: they began by establishing the extremely famend whisky bar at Dornoch Fortress within the Highlands of Scotland, earlier than transferring onto crowdfunding their very own Dornoch Distillery and bottling different casks independently.
Phew! Any a type of three achievements I might take into account the sum of a lifetime of laborious work. However to efficiently obtain all three? If it weren’t for my youngsters (and job) I would choose to remain in mattress all day; I’m wondering how anybody finds that vitality.
Although it’s launched in batches of round 800 bottles, considerably limiting provide, Thompson Brothers SRV5 (Station Highway Vat 5) Over 8 12 months Outdated Blended Malt is meant to be bottled and launched ongoing as a core vary merchandise.
This mix is comprised of North Highland, Islay, and Speyside single malts, all aged a minimal of eight years. The solera model mixing course of begins off at a small scale, with samples from varied casks mixed till the Brothers are assured they’ve the appropriate alchemy. Then a lot bigger quantities are drawn from the casks and vatted collectively on the decided percentages in a 1,200 litre charred and toasted Oak vat.
When integration is full, not more than two thirds of the spirit is withdrawn from the vat for dilution to 48.5% ABV and bottling. This leaves round 400 litres to be a place to begin for the following batch and to create consistency throughout releases. The Thompson Brothers web site has the story in full.
The web site claims this may have a “barely waxy” mouthfeel. “Waxy” is a triggering time period for whisky geeks, and Thompson Brothers have launched a number of Clynelish and Dailuane bottlings, which makes me sure one or the opposite – or each – are contained within the mix.
Dornoch Distillery Single Malt is so widespread its availability is normally solely by poll, and Thompson Brothers impartial bottlings are additionally extremely rated. My expertise with indie blends peaked with the St Brigid’s Kirk bottlings just lately. Can this bottle match that?
Thompson Brothers SRV5 (Station Highway Vat 5) Over 8 12 months Outdated Blended Malt – Evaluate
48.5% ABV. Broadly obtainable within the UK from the standard shops for £35 kilos or direct from Thompson Brothers. Doesn’t seem like obtainable in Australia at retail.
Color: Boring gold.
On the nostril: Candle wax (ticking that “wax” field good and early), doughy bread, malty biscuits, and a few woodiness. Then earlier than the fruits unfold there are pistachio nuts, milk chocolate, and the saltiness of cured meats. With time I get some iron shavings after which a punch of oranges and mango. The fruits develop into extra outstanding because the night progresses. A easy nostril maybe, not with out class, promising a straightforward drinker.
Within the mouth: That is such a wealthy, coating mouthfeel. Paraffin wax maybe? Extra milk chocolate and chocolate wafer earlier than mango and papaya. However the lingering presence of varied sweet remains to be there, similar to Werther’s Originals and mint lozenges. On the end I get kalamata olives, a lightweight, balanced smokiness and that ample mouth coating that implies chances are you’ll not need to drink this early within the night or you possibly can nonetheless be tasting it lengthy into the evening.
Conclusions:
The 48.5% ABV precisely matches the St Brigid’s Kirk Cask #1 and, although that’s certainly a coincidence, it’s additionally no shock that two neatly run operations would select this energy to create a full-bodied dram to ship flavour.
I feel that is simply gorgeously quaffable, and apparently replicable ongoing by the Thompson Brothers which places us all in good stead.
Rating: 7/10
This isn’t but obtainable in Australia at retail (to my data) so I couldn’t take into account value in my rating. The UK value of 35 quid calls for consideration. Must you purchase this or both the Signatory or Cadenhead blends for about the identical value? You’re a intelligent readership; I feel you may reply that for yourselves.
I might hope the Australian value is low $100s however really feel Thompson Brothers will likely be thought-about a “boutique indie” so it might creep nearer to $150, although I hope to be confirmed flawed.
The final time we had been in Scotland my spouse and I investigated an evening or two at Dornoch Fortress nevertheless it was carried out somewhat too final minute and the costs had been eye watering. Subsequent time, by hook or by crook I get to that bar; Phil and Simon Thompson can seemingly do little flawed.
