In addition to being a whisky fiend, I’m additionally a fan of a cheeky port or two from time to time, particularly with a cheese board. Actually, for me that’s probably the greatest issues about Christmas.
This fortified wine from Portugal has a wealthy, candy, complexity that compliments whisky completely. This is the reason an increasing number of high quality whiskies at the moment are being completed in port casks. Now, having tried loads in my time, take it from me, if finished proper, port cask ending takes whisky to a complete different dimension.
Second solely to sherry, port casks are the commonest sort of casks used to complete whisky. The candy, wealthy, advanced notes from the fortified wine casks praise the whisky completely and provides it essentially the most attractive color palettes. Better of all is the truth that several types of port provide utterly totally different finishes. A tawny cask completed whisky for instance, will tackle a plethora of various flavours and aromas in contrast with a ruby cask completed dram.
If, like me, you’re large into your port ending, listed here are 3 port cask whiskies you must strive.
Benrinnes 10 Yr Outdated Girl of the Glen Tawny End
Tawny port was once severely ignored rather than ruby, but in recent times that’s began to alter. Now tawny is shortly making its presence felt.
Tawny is usually a a lot smoother, sweeter, and mellower port in comparison with ruby. The flavour profiles lend themselves completely to this drop from the Benrinnes Distillery. It’s a full our bodies Speyside that was re-racked into first fill ex-tawny port casks for 2 years.
First distilled in 2013, and bottled a decade later, it has an ABV of 57.8% and is a beautiful gentle toffee color.
On the nostril there’s sturdy medjool dates, candy berries, honeycomb, winter baking spices, and a touch of tobacco pipe smoke and leather-based. I might sniff this all day!
On the palate issues simply get higher and higher. Robust sticky toffee and date pudding notes right here with vanilla custard, apricot jam, orange zest, darkish chocolate honeycomb, cinnamon, and Bramley apple sauce.
The end is the place the tawny notes actually shine by means of. There’re extra pink berries, pink grapes, morello cherries, and honey. Pretty brief in size, with a really nice mouthfeel. There’s additionally a suggestion of wooden with a spicy, peppery kick.
Ardbeg Spectacular Single Malt
Who says a peated whisky can’t be completed in port casks?
Ardbeg Spectacular is a particular launch whisky, launched for Fèis Ìle 2024, the annual Islay Competition which is among the largest whisky festivals on the planet. Particularly, it was produced for the ultimate day of the competition, which is aptly often called ‘Ardbeg Day’.
This was a primary for Ardbeg and was a reasonably large gamble for them. Fortunately it paid off completely because the ensuing whisky is exclusive mish mash of various flavours and notes that work in concord with each other.
Matured in port casks earlier than being mixed with whiskies aged in bourbon barrels, it’s a light-weight straw color with an ABV of 46%.
On the nostril you get these traditional peaty Ardbeg aromas, accompanied by lemon meringue pie, heather honey, sugared almonds, sea spray, and sandalwood.
On the palate there are salted caramel flavours, candy honey, bonfire smoke, apple turnovers, toffee, and Golden Scrumptious apples.
The end is prolonged and has an oily mouthfeel. There’s extra peat smoke, bonfire toffee, salted caramel, and a menthol mintiness lingering within the background.
As an added be aware, I really like the pink and white spiral design on the packaging. It’s not typical of Ardbeg and it undoubtedly catches the attention.
Balvenie 21 Yr Outdated Portwood End
Lastly, we’ve this distinctive expression from Balvenie, which is definitely their flagship single malt because it’s the oldest of their core vary.
Completed in 30 yr outdated port casks, or pipes as they’re additionally identified, this 21-year-old whisky is a very distinctive Speyside that reveals you simply what you may obtain whenever you expertly end a positive single malt in a top quality port pipe.
That is the darkest-coloured dram thus far, because the dram has actually taken on these port notes. Having gained 10 Spirit Awards, it has a wealthy mahogany color, but at 40% ABV is decidedly mellow and as easy as silk.
On the nostril there’s loads to absorb. There’s a definite scent of honey, sultanas, dates, figs, and pink berries. You need port notes? You’ll get them on the nostril that’s for positive. There’s additionally toasted almonds, tinned apricots, and vanilla oak.
The palate continues to impress. There’s candy summer time berries, strawberries and cream, pink grapes, calmly toasted oak, toasted oats and maple syrup drenched pancakes.
The end is pretty brief and leaves you with chocolate undertones, charred oak, and combined berry compote.
If you happen to’d prefer to be taught extra about your favorite whiskies, or just deal with your self to a dram or two within the course of, head on over to GreatDrams.com and check out what we’ve to supply.
With a formidable collection of limited-edition, uncommon, and award-winning whisky, in addition to heaps of whisky information on our weblog, it’s the proper spot for any whisky lovers on the market.
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