As January appeared to be quite prolific in new liquid gold releases, I really had a hard time coming up with this month’ shortlist and selecting only 5 of all those highly-appealing nectars… (obviously, this is totally a fake excuse to explain why I’m running late on my regular schedule… ). But here it is!
Glenmorangie Milsean Private Edition
Milsean (pronounced ‘mill-shun’ and Gaelic for ‘sweet things’) is the seventh release in Glenmorangie’s Private Edition series. Finished for two-and-a-half years in 154 toasted ex-Portuguese-red-wine barriques, this is sweet with notes of tropical fruit and lemon sherbet, backed up with some ginger spice.
Douglas Laing’s original Rock Oyster launched in January 2015, a Small Batch bottling created from the finest maritime Malts – including those distilled on the esteemed Islands of Jura, Islay, Arran and Orkney. Bottled at 46.8% alcohol strength, the Island Malt brand has a truly maritime flavour profile of sea salt, sweet peat and cracked black pepper.
The new Cask Strength Limited Edition is bottled at a powerful 57.4% ABV and delivers a massive amplification of all those coastal qualities from the original. Punchy peat smoke meets sweet honey and a briny, salty character, in a flavour combination that promises to transport the drinker to Scotland’s Whisky Islands. In line with the Douglas Laing family philosophy, the spirit is proudly without colouring or chill-filtration.
Corsair Quinoa Whiskey is made in the USA from a combination of red and white quinoa grains and malted barley. Quinoa adds unique earthy and nutty flavours to the whiske
Inchmurrin Madeira Wood Finish
Inchmurrin Madeira Wood Finish is aged initially in ex-bourbon casks before being finished in casks that used to hold Madeira. The result is a whisky full of orchard fruit and nutty flavours.
A higher-strength UK release of one of the three-strong core range introduced by Glenturret in 2015: Sherry Edition. Aged in both European- and American-oak sherry casks, this is elegant and sweet with spice, too.