Hunter is a flavourful however largely forgotten barley selection. Named after pioneering plant breeder Herbert Hunter, it was launched in 1959 and lauded for its distinctive flavour. Nonetheless after 20 years this uncommon and “game-changing” barley disappeared in favour of higher-yield varieties.
Along with Minch Malt, the Irish ministry of agriculture and several other farmers Waterford distillery initiated the plan to domesticate it once more. The start line was a 50 gram bag of Hunter seeds, upscaled over a number of years earlier than there was sufficient to distil. The 2019 distillation yielded solely 50 barrels, now coming collectively in Waterford Heritage: Hunter, the most recent expression of their Arcadian Farm Origin vary. In the intervening time three different heritage varieties undergo the identical course of.
This single malt comes from a mixture of 45% first fill US oak, 19% virgin US oak, 21% French oak and 15% Vin Doux Naturel.
Waterford Heritage: Hunter (50%, OB 2022, 9048 btl.)
Nostril: an interesting dusty profile, with earthy notes and roots, tree bark, dried grasses and celeriac. Very pure. Then there’s a touch of baguettes and moist chalk. Few fruity notes, though I get some apple and inexperienced banana skins. Recent grains, at all times, in addition to sunflower oil. Positive aspects complexity over time, good.
Mouth: oily texture, with extra creamy banana now, in addition to orange cake, making it sweeter than anticipated. White pear and lemons. Loads of earthy notes once more. Delicate savoury notes (clove and salt) and dried citrus peels. Damp leafy notes and candy dough. Rustic in a manner, however there’s a stunning high quality to it that’s exhausting to explain.
End: medium lengthy, with inexperienced leafy notes, lemon oil and a contact of charred oak.
A fairly distinctive Waterford once more: there’s nothing like this available on the market. It’s contemporary and spicy with a particular dusty / earthy aspect. An fascinating mission with a whole lot of potential for older releases. Obtainable from Whiskysite.nl as an illustration (additionally samples). That is actually new so it has but to reach in different markets.
