After trying to match GoT characters with their whisky soulmates a few weeks ago, I also needed to celebrate the return of one of my favourite shows on Earth, Outlander, who got me completely addicted (I can see you going… No, Jamie isn’t the only reason for this addiction – just one of many ! Who would resist a kilted lad anyway ?). So here again, I tried to match some of Outlander’s main characters with their sprited counterparts !
1. Claire Randall/Fraser + The One (British Blended Whisky)
The One is a unique blend of exceptional whiskies from the British Isles, each has its own distinctive characteristics, resulting in a whisky of intriguing complexity.
Tasting notes from Somerset Whisky :
“Nose: Malty, cream and vanilla toffee, hints of smoke and hints of north eastern costal promise. Fairly complex, goes one way and then another. Some autumn spiced apples.
Palate: The palate isn’t too far away from the nose, it’s fairly thick, just like the cream and toffee notes lead you to hope. It’s nicely sweet and well balanced, it’s great to hold on your tongue for a while and to enjoy rolling around. Rather like a Werther’s Original caramel sweet.
Finish: Warming and oily, thickly creamy with vanilla notes and smoky hints lasting out, fruits and wood lasting even longer still.
A really quality blend this, crafted with obvious love”.
2. Jamie Fraser + Glenfarclas 105 Cask Strenght 60% vol.
Tasting notes from Glenfarclas
Nose: Complex, oaky, apples and pears, and a tempting dark toffee sweetness.
Flavour: Dry and assertive, develops quickly to reveal a rich spiciness, combined with a hint of oak and sherried fruit.
Finish: Amazingly smooth for the strength; wonderfully warming and with a lingering smokiness, yet very rounded.
3. Geillis Duncan + Compass Box – The Spice Tree
Tasting notes from Jason’s Scotch Whisky reviews :
Nose (undiluted) Malty, sea air, harness leather, dulse, against a rich hot chocolate background.
Palate (undiluted) Round and sweet flavors of almonds, vanilla, After Eight mint chocolate and poppy seeds which intensify by mid-palate. Mid-palate the sweetness transitions to drying oak.
Finish (undiluted) Rich, subdued oak and vanilla transitions into ginger, lime, lemon grass and spices (nutmeg). Final tastes echoing on the palate are of toned down pepper steak spices and cigar.
Add Water A little water is also very nice in this dram. A teaspoon to 3/4 oz (2cl) brings out creamy oak notes. Makes the whole taste more decadent. You gotta try it with water and then decide. As an acquaintance of mine remarked that Spice Tree “is a cracker!”
4. Colum & Dougal MacKenzie + Dalmore Mackenzie
“Only 3,000 limited edition bottles of this new highland single malt have been released to mark a new era in the distillery’s long affiliation with The Mackenzie Clan. The Mackenzie family, owners of The Dalmore distillery for almost a century, provides the inspiration for The Dalmore’s iconic stag head logo and its motto “I Shine, Not Burn” which is also the clan motto.
The launch celebrates the single act of courage that an ancestor of Clan Mackenzie made when saving King Alexander III in 1263 from being gored by a stag, a scene that is depicted in the painting.
The partnership aims to raise funds to help refurbish and maintain Castle Leod and to support a range of activities organised by The Clan Mackenzie Society of Scotland & The UK.”
Tasting notes from ScotchMaltWhisky :
The first spirit used was distilled in 1992 and held in American white oak casks for some 11 years. The Dalmore then finessed the whisky by re-filling to fresh port pipes from the douro.
The natural soft amber red hue – drawn from the port pipes – links the colour of the whisky to the blood of the injured stag.
Bottled at 46% ABV, the Mackenzie bottling is a commanding, intense and courageous fit for all aristocracy and proffers hints of vanilla, red fruits, spices and the brand’s classic signature citrus orange.
