The final stop on our Firkin Whisky exploration takes us to Aultmore and ‘Firkin Rare’. Here’s the custom US/French oak casks have had a saturation of tawny port wine.
The release of 273 bottles from custom cask (#800670) is available as of writing via Top Whiskies for (no prizes) - £69.
Nose: Immediate expressive berry fruits – wild blackberries, redcurrant jelly, cassis and berry gelato. Battenberg cake and desiccated coconut sit with lacquered oak and beeswax polished tables whilst freshly picked mint provide a herbal coolness. Reduction transposes the nose to reveal more stone fruits – apricots – alongside a cup of mocha and crumbled rich tea biscuits.
Taste: Impactful on the arrival – 48.9% is spot on here. Blackberries, and press blackcurrants – Ribena time. Dark ground chocolate and sponge cake sits with sticky toffee pudding, whilst walnut oils and stem ginger are given a polished oaky kick. Water offers a brighter outlook with more red berries than blackberries -cranberry and redcurrant – whilst golden syrup is joined by ginger and brandy snaps.
Finish: Quite long with persisting berry fruitiness and drying, mentholated dark wood.
On paper, tawny port Aultmore doesn’t necessarily feel like a ‘rare’ whisky. But not only have I struggled to find another example of this pairing, but also, and similarly to all other Firkin releases – the custom American/French oak casks are far from a gimmick, offering palpable influence. Here the combination is unique – and in that sense ‘rare’. There’s a touch too much dryness from the port wine in the finish for my liking – but other than that, this is on-point throughout. Very very easy to like.
Review sample provided by Top Whiskies on behalf of Firkin Whisky Co.