2016 is coming to an end and while we’re all still finalising the last-minute details of our NYE parties, I’ve decided – like I did last year – to come back on the passed year and nominate my personal malted highlights. We saw plenty of exciting releases this year so it was once again a very tough choice for me but I’m always in for a good challenge 😀
Note that this selection features both very young and rather old whiskies as well as fairly affordable and a bit more expensive nectars so that you can all also find something to suit your taste & budget! All titles directly link to the official website or online shop for more information and/or tasting notes. This list therefore comes in no particular order #LetsGetWild.
Bruichladdich 2005 11 Year Old Rioja matured – Claxton’s Spirits
A killer rioja-matured Bruichladdich from independent bottler Claxton’s Spirits. Surprising, elegant, rich & complex, I couldn’t do without including it in my 2016 malted highlights! This is just the kind of dram I’d like to enjoy on my own as a solitary liquid pleasure in a wooden bothy… And trust me, there were many occasions in 2016 where I would have loved to escape far far away and go hide myself in a mountain cave…
The Glover is a stunning blended malt made up of rare Japanese and Scottish whiskies. Named after the ‘Scottish Samurai’ Thomas Blake Glover, the first foreigner to receive the Order of the Rising Sun from the Japanese Emperor, it’s a celebration of the two countries’ relationship. The man responsible for blending this extraordinary whisky, alongside Charles MacLean, is Adelphi Managing Director Alex Bruce whose own Great-Great Grandfather the Earl of Elgin signed the first treaty of Trade and Amity between the UK and Japan in 1858!
A single ex-Sherry hogshead from the closed distillery Hanyu was selected, to which whisky from an American oak ex-Sherry hogshead from Longmorn was added (making up 35% of the final whisky) as well as a tiny bit of Glen Garioch from an ex-Sherry butt (a nod to Thomas Glover’s upbringing in Aberdeenshire). Just 390 hand-numbered bottles have been produced.
The second release of 1990 vintage Balblair. Long known to blenders as a category ‘A’ malt, Balblair is a terrific malt whisky worthy of the renewed attention its 2007 makeover and thrilling vintage releases have bestowed. Most importantly, 1990 being my birthyear, I’m always looking for a good 1990 vintage to enjoy on my Birthday each year and I have a good feeling this one could be THE one for next year’ celebrations 😉
Westland’s sherried expression takes its inspiration from Scotch, but has an American feel. Rich and sweet with notes of maples syrup, raisins, cookies and stewed yellow fruits.
SMWS 30.93 – Tonka Bean Crême Brulée (Glenrothes)
A 19-year-old Glenrothes from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s September 2016 outturn, matured in Gorda casks and bottled at 59.1% ABV. Definitely not something to put in every hand though but if you’ve got a friend with a REALLY sweet tooth, this dram full of baking & gourmet aromas is definitely a must-try! I – as you probably know – am a sucker for all things sweet & pastry-forward so I was more than won over by this wonderfully delicious Glenrothes bottling, which still boast some drier tannic notes on the palate and a warm spicy finish :p
Glen Grant 1966 – Gordon & Macphail
Another of Gordon & Macphail’s long-aged Glen Grants which, along with Glenfarclas, represent the best-value long-aged Speysides available. Thankfully, Glen Grant is one of those special Speysiders (like Glenfarclas, Mortlach and Macallan) that is capable of withstanding immense oak ageing without tasting like a pile of wet sawdust.
Compas Box – 3 Year Old Deluxe
A typically cheeky whisky from Compass Box, proudly proclaiming its age statement of three years old, when only a tiny amount of the whisky in the bottle is that young. The other 99% is a carefully selected combination of whiskies from “the village of Brora” and “distilled on the Isle of Skye”. The result is a luxurious blended malt with carefully balanced smoke.
Wolfburn has finally come of age. This is the first, and ongoing, release from the Scottish mainland’s northernmost distillery. This is a light, sweet and fragrant whisky, with notes of fruit, nuts and a hint of peat.
A limited release from Benromach distillery, this 35-year-old whisky was distilled in the early 1980s and aged in first-fill sherry casks. Released in two tranches during 2016, this has notes of honey, chocolate, menthol and clove.
Vinterträdgård is the fourteenth release in Mackmyra’s Moment series. Finished in casks which used to hold two types of fruit wine: raspberry, and cranberry and blueberry. A fruity, spicy and rich whisky with notes of butter toffee, dried fruit and vanilla.
