I obtained a set of samples from the most recent bottlings by Milroy’s of Soho simply as I left on holidays. Now that I’m again, I used to be wanting ahead to look into them. It’s fairly a big selection, from a younger blended Campbeltown whisky to a deeply sherried Macduff and one among our favourites: a Ben Nevis 1996.
Ben Nevis 28 yo 1996 (51,8%, Milroy’s Classic Reserve 2025, hogshead #1583)
Nostril: excellent. Heat, waxy fruits. Apricots, ripe pineapple, mango and hints of lime. Then some peppermint and linden honey. Step by step extra sunflower oil and chalky notes come out, however then once more additionally gummi bear notes to stability it out. Up there with one of the best casks.
Mouth: a bit extra minty and spicy than some others, with loads of spearmint and verbena, together with gentle white pepper. After that the fruits transfer ahead: lemons, tangerines, pineapple and a bit of guava. Additionally tiny hints of pink grapefruit and maracuya in the long run. Delicate chalky dryness too.
End: medium size, mixing tropical fruits with mineral components and a faint grassy and malty edge.
One other actually good one and definitely the spotlight on this session. I’ve written tasting notes for round 40 sister casks (1996 classic alone) and I by no means get uninterested in them. Nonetheless accessible from Milroy’s of Soho.
Aberfeldy 10 yo 2014 (55,5%, Milroy’s of Soho 2025, dechar-rechar hogshead #420)
Nostril: fairly cumbersome, with peanut oil, butter pastry and hints of earthy spice. Barley notes, butterscotch, hints of banana bread and natural honey sweetness. Then additionally dried grass and vanilla notes.
Mouth: barely prickly, however now a pleasant wave of fruits seems, with candy peach, pears and recent lime. Even a touch of tinned pineapple. Nonetheless a beneficiant malty layer as properly, together with caramelized nuts. Then a chalky and natural edge, aniseed and orange cake.
End: medium size, with citrusy notes, malt and candy baking spice.
The recent char amplifies the thick and honeyed spirit character of Aberfeldy. A great mixing malt however a tad too heavy by itself. Nevertheless on this line-up it does present a distinct profile. My two cents, as at all times. Obtainable from Milroy’s. Rating: 81/100
Glen Ord 11 yo 2012 (56,4%, Milroy’s of Soho 2025, bourbon barrel #800243)
Nostril: immediately brisker and brighter. Juicy pears and inexperienced apples, with peach and a greener word of nopal. Icing sugar and lemon sweets. Then mint leaves, drops of grapeseed oil and delicate floral notes.
Mouth: actually recent once more, with loads of limes (or lemonade) and apple sweets with unripe pineapple. Gentle earthy notes seem, with inexperienced tea and a few sharper grapefruit and fizzy sweet within the background. Delicate oak spice.
End: fairly lengthy, a tad greener nonetheless, with gentle herbs together with citrus rinds.
Barely slim maybe, however I actually dig this brilliant and completely sippable fashion. Good for summertime, in my view, and I’m certain it makes aweseome highballs. Obtainable from Milroy’s. Rating: 88/100
Campbeltown Blended Malt 9 yo 2016 (57,1%, Milroy’s of Soho 2025, bourbon barrel #9)
Nostril: distillate-driven, on bread dough and chalky notes, lemons and muesli. Additionally some inexperienced maltiness and minerals. It misses the depth and depth of Springbank although, including extra fruitiness and creaminess. Then extra grassy notes and baking spice. Virtually no funk, extra of an introduction to the fashion.
Mouth: it begins with lemon zest, grassy notes and a touch of paraffin, which counsel some Glen Scotia. Then some apple and beer notes, together with a agency saltiness and liquorice. A couple of Haribo bears too. After some time I’m afraid I’m selecting up a soapy word, or some lavender, which is dangerous information.
End: medium, nonetheless bready and citric.
Bizarre. I need to admit I’m not anticipating soapy notes from Campbeltown distilleries, however I attempted completely different glasses. It’s actually not FWP territory both, however I’d nonetheless give the recommendation to be cautious. If you happen to’re searching for an affordable Springbank different, this will not be the right alternative. Obtainable from Milroy’s. Rating: 76/100
Macduff 16 yo 2008 (66,7%, Milroy’s Classic Reserve 2025, third fill sherry butt #130900362)
Nostril: fruit-driven sherry. Loads of raisins, recent figs, hints of purple plum jam and toffee apples. Delicate sandalwood, together with candy mocha, hazelnuts and whiffs of candied almonds. Some trendy oak spice within the background, including punch. Water brings out tobacco but additionally caramel notes, making it flatter.
Mouth: fairly sizzling, sure. Nonetheless properly candy and fruity although, with purple berries, marzipan, candied walnuts, toasted hazelnuts and sweetened espresso. Then plums and candy orange sweet, adopted by natural notes. Fairly peppery. Right here water brings out milk chocolate and a few oaky notes.
End: lengthy, with a agency spiciness, fruity sweetness, cocoa and caramelized nuts.
One among these trendy, very energetic sherry casks (Signatory’s 100 Proof profile). The general richness and deep fruitiness makes this Macduff very engaging although. Obtainable from Milroy’s. Rating: 88/100
