27 Jun 2014

Notes from the June Tasting

Tomatin

Half way between Inverness and Aviemore in the Scotish highlands. Deep in the Monadhliath Mountains. A formal distillery was first commissioned on the site in 1897, and at 315 metres above sea level, one of the highest in the country. Re-established in 1985 as the Tomatin Distillery company. In 2007, they produced 2.5 million litres. Monadhliath spring water used in distilling. Traditionally this whisky was used to provide fillings for major blended whiskies in Scotland, but more recently, Tomatin is focusing on the company’s own brand, and has won several international awards.

Legacy

• Link
• No Age Statement
• Cask: Bourbon Cask
• Alcohol: 43%

• Tasting Notes Aroma Vanilla pods, marshmallow, sponge cake and fresh pineapple, mixed with citrus lemon and boiled sweets.

  Palate Light and delicate with a candy sweetness which is peppered with hints of pine. Lemon sherbet, pineapple and crunchy green apples with a touch of freshly baked sponge cake.

  Finish Clean, light and refreshing.

18yr

• Link
• Age: 18yr
• Cask: Sherry Cask
• Alcohol: 46%

• Tasting Notes Aroma Sweet sherry fragrance, notes of fresh apples, cinnamon, vanilla, maple syrup and a hint of smoky heather.

  Palate Starts sweet with an oaky edge, and turns into citrus flavor with a hint of dark chocolate.

  Finish Long, sweet and slightly dry.

Glenmorangie

Owns the tallest stills in Scotland, allowing only the lightest and purest vapors to make it to the top, making for smoother whisky. Use casks a limited number of times to allow for more flavours. One of Glanmorangie prized assets is Tarlogie Springs, their fresh water source. The water is produced by rain water forcing through limestone and sandstone over hundreds of years. The process infuses the water with natural minerals giving glenmorangie it’s ingredient unique among Highland distilleries.

Lasanta

• Link
• Age: 12yr
• Cask: Sherry Cask
• Alcohol: 46%

• Tasting Notes Aroma Warm spices mix with smooth chocolate covered raisins, honeycomb and caramel toffee.

  Taste Deliciously sweet sherry flavoured sultanas, orange segments, walnuts and butterscotch combine to create complex warm spices.

  Finish Long and satisfying finish with spiced orange and chocolate covered hazelnuts.

Nectar D’or

• Link
• Age: 12yr
• Cask: Sauternes Cask
• Alcohol: 46%

• Tasting Notes Aroma Lime and orange rind, sultanas and dates give a rich fruity flavour laced with tantalizing spices of coconut and nutmeg.

  Taste Ginger, nutmeg and toasted almonds bring a deep, warming taste interwoven with a syrupy lemon meringue and honeycomb middle.

  Finish Long and lusciously sweet finish with lemon zest, white chocolate, vanilla and traces of ginger and nutmeg.

Quinta Ruban

• Link
• Age: 12yr
• Cask: Port Cask
• Alcohol: 46%

• Tasting Notes Aroma Dark mint chocolate, tangerines and Seville oranges mingle with sandalwood and walnut before giving way to a spicy finish of pepper and nutmeg.

  Taste Mint chocolate and walnuts envelop the palate like velvet, laying the foundations for rose, Turkish delight and sweet Seville oranges.

  Finish Long lasting silky aftertaste leaving dark chocolate mints and traces of orange.

Isle of Arran

A relatively young distillery, started in only 1995. Claims to have the purest water in all of Scotland, cleansed by granite and softened by peat makes its way from the mountains into near by Loch na Davie. The island is known for producing the highest quality whisky. Don’t use peat in production or caramel for artificially coloring their whiskies.

The Arran Malt

• Link
• No Age Statement
• Cask: Port Cask
• Alcohol: 50%

• Tasting Notes Colour Deep Bronze

  Aroma Vanilla spice and ripe citrus running into dried fruits and nuttiness. With a splash of water more depth of mandarin citrus with fudge and honeyed notes.

  Palate Layered fruits and spice combine, with cinnamon baked apple wrestling with raisin and plum pudding. The dram opens out to reveal warming barley and a hint of sweet pear.

  Finish A classic Single Malt with punch that dances on the palate. The trademark Arran barley-sweetness shines through the layers of complexity.

The Arran Malt

• Link
• No Age Statement
• Cask: Sauternes Cask
• Alcohol: 50%

• Tasting Notes Colour Gold Bullion

  Aroma Honeysuckle, melon and marzipan with a spicy edge to add balance. Add water and a lush fruit attack appears with banana, forest flowers and a rich nutty character

  Palate Richly honeyed and backed with a lifting zestiness which slides into spice and zingy salt. Once the dram opens out, vanilla and sultana stand out followed by notes of toasted oak.

  Finish A glorious combination of voluptuous Sauternes and snake-hipped Arran Malt - a richly rewarding partnership.

The Arran Malt

• Link
• No Age Statement
• Cask: Amarone Cask
• Alcohol: 50%

• Tasting Notes Colour Burnished Copper

  Aroma Poached pears and honey followed by toasted almonds and a subtle touch of cranberry. With water a coffee note appears together with chocolate orange and mellow butterscotch.

  Palate Dark chocolate, cherry and Turkish delights are evident as are stewed fruits and toffee. Muscular notes of dark plum wrestle with bitter-sweet apricots and a hint of cinnamon.

  Finish A well-balanced combination of the finesse of The Arran Malt and the restrained fruit and oak from the Amarone casks. Concentrated and elegant this malt delivers on all levels.

Til next time,
The Whisky Oriented Development team

Post tagged with: Tasting Notes