Our first new release from Watt Whisky comes courtesy of a 13 year old from Glen Spey that has spent nearly all its life inside a single ex-bourbon hogshead, before a brief 3 month rerack into an ex-sherry cask. You’ll find bottles available at The Whisky Exchange for £65.95.
Nose: Opening with big balsamic strawberries, macerated red berries and cranberry jelly. Broadening out to include a selection of dried fruits and orange peels alongside ginger powder, almond paste and a scattering of rose hips. The addition of water reveals foam prawns, strawberry milkshake powder and soft, creamy nougat.
Taste: Drying. Berry preserve, sour cherries and sultanas join burnt caramel and another round of vinegar sharpness. Bitter chocolate and fresh, sticky, tannic sherry comes in a wave, alongside freshly made toast that’s been left in the toaster just that little bit too long. Reduction introduces gooey toffee together with hedgerow berry compote.
Finish: Medium to long in length with ginger and clove lingering alongside tart, sour berries.
Rather too acetic for my tastes – particularly at the delivered strength where the profile is certainly sherry forward (quite the active cask for a mere 3 months) and brings with it an abundance of sharp, tart vinegar notes alongside a rather carefree delivery of tannins. Modernism in a bottle. This will certainly have an audience – I’m just sadly not among that number.
Review sample provided by Watt Whisky