The UK’s largest whisky pageant has simply ended. Whisky Present 2022 was held in London final weekend. For this event 5 bottlings have been launched, one Linkwood 2006 present bottling and 4 bottlings in a collection referred to as From Grain to Inexperienced.
Previously, Elixir Distiller’s inventive director Raj Chavda has made revolutionary use of ultraviolet ink, anaglyphic 3D and lenticular 3D imagery on labels. This 12 months he labored with warmth delicate ink that reacts to altering environmental situations. Every label highlights a special facet of local weather disaster.
Chavda explains: ‘In case you purchase considered one of these whiskies in October, the general cooler temperatures will make the labels look fairly black. You’ll have to carry your hand on them to disclose the colors and see the entire design. However in the summertime, significantly on a very heat day, you’ll be capable to see it fairly clearly. Every label primarily works like a thermometer. ‘
Imperial 26 yo 1996 (51,5%, Elixir Distillers for Whisky Present 2022, barrels #1053 + #1189)
Nostril: an ideal mixture of oranges, peaches and extra tropical fruits like mango, combined with sweet floss and dried grassy notes. Then oak polish, beeswax and previous waxy papers. Hints of mint, natural honey and candied ginger. Additionally a warming trace of vanilla ice cream. I like this profile.
Mouth: extra creamy fruits and a fantastic waxiness. Stone fruits, mango and orange. Greener notes within the background (extra grass), in addition to some lemon peels. Acacia honey, vanilla custard, French baguette and light-weight mineral notes. Hints of brass polish and aniseed too.
End: lengthy, mildly drying now, nonetheless balancing between juicy fruits and inexperienced, grassy notes.
Nice whisky from a misplaced distillery, which mixes excessive drinkability (as a result of fruitiness) with good waxy notes and a fragile grassy edge. I severely hope you have already got a couple of bottles of Imperial in your assortment. If not, this can be a good selection earlier than it’s too late. Out there quickly from The Whisky Change (offered they weren’t all offered through the present).
Linkwood 16 yo 2006 (56,5%, Elixir Distillers for Whisky Present 2022, hogsheads #801604+801605)
Nostril: recent barley notes, lemons, inexperienced apple peels and muesli, with some chalky touches and mineral notes. Sliced bananas with porridge on the facet. Gentle pepper and whiffs of yellow flowers. Fairly easy however not boring.
Mouth: barely sizzling, balancing between citrus, beer-like notes and bready notes. Tart lemons and kiwi, in addition to mint leaves alongside white pepper. The mineral and grassy facet grows stronger and exhibits a touch of oak char as nicely.
End: medium lengthy, with uncooked barley, extra grass, grapefruit peels and inexperienced tea.
A clear no-nonsense whisky. I lately wrote that Linkwood is usually a bit of middle-of-the-road. This as nicely is sort of vertical and slim however completely brilliant and recent. Rating: 85/100
Clynelish 11 yo 2011 (58,7%, Elixir Distillers for Whisky Present 2022, barrel #800273)
Nostril: basic waxiness, greater than I anticipated from such a younger model. Then dough, mashy notes and hints of bananas. Hints of pineapple sweet, orange and lemon yoghurt. Vanilla is stored in verify. Actually good.
Mouth: nonetheless actually fatty and waxy, with a fruitiness that’s extra on the tropical facet now. Bananas and tinned mango slices. Beeswax, pollen, candles and sweetened olive oil. Then there’s a extra austere facet of grapefruit peels, pepper and brine to it as nicely.
End: medium lengthy, with candy chalky notes, mint and salty wax. A light-weight medicinal contact too.
This has the basic Clynelish wax, with a barely larger sweetness than anticipated. On the whole the 2010s appear to get extra applause however I discover this beautiful wonderful. Hopefully this may also seem at thewhiskyexchange.com. Rating: 88/100
Caol Ila 9 yo 2013 (57,3%, Elixir Distillers for Whisky Present 2022, hogshead #316159)
Nostril: it’s fairly a heat and earthy model, with smouldering charcoal and a little bit of gravel mud. There’s charred lemon, delicate antiseptics, a touch of tobacco and smoked meat.
Mouth: fairly fats, with extra coal smoke and warming tobacco, a pleasant fire character. Some roasted malt, sharper natural notes and citrus peels. Even a contact of mustard. Tarry ropes and iodine in the direction of the top.
End: fairly lengthy, with hints of medicinal liqueurs, darkish chocolate with a pinch of salt, and leafy notes.
In comparison with different Caol Ila from the identical interval, that is fairly heat and broad (extra in the direction of Lagavulin) whereas some may be fairly austere and sharp. A very good one. Rating: 87/100
Ledaig 15 yo 2006 (54,7%, Elixir Distillers for Whisky Present 2022, sherry butt #13)
Nostril: a beautiful sort of farmy sweetness up entrance. There’s tar, industrial components, Cuban cigars and recreation, but additionally brown ale, hints of prunes and blackberries. Then some treacle and shoepolish. Raisins in armagnac. Very wealthy.
Mouth: the richness continues, with unique woods, darkish chocolate, loads of ashes and a touch of rubber. Then you definately get some cherries, a maritime observe, dried herbs and a touch of gunpowder. Crushed black peppercorns, leafy notes and deep sooty peat.
End: lengthy, with lacquered meat, some briny peat, chilly espresso and hints of seaweed.
Sherry and peat dialed to the utmost, and the stability is (nearly) excellent. A pleasant finale for this high-quality session. Being a butt, there’s a great likelihood this can seem on-line, though we are able to’t make certain. Regulate The Whisky Change. Rating: 89/100
