Right this moment we’ve picked three refill barrels from the current bottlings by Decadent Drinks. They’re all a part of the Whiskyland sequence. Casks are coming from the defunct Imperial distillery, the quickly to be revived Tormore and Bladnoch distillery.
Imperial 26 yo 1998 (49,8%, Decadent Drinks ‘Whiskyland’ 2025, refill barrel, 134 btl.)
Nostril: waxy fruits – at all times a secure wager in terms of Decadent Drinks releases. Melons, (barely inexperienced) bananas and dried pineapples, white and yellow flowers, in addition to some pure vanilla and a whiff of varnish. Then citrus oils (grapefruit) and peach skins with delicate hints of summery grass and canvas too.
Mouth: wonderful fruitiness with a creamy texture and a delicate acidity. Extra inexperienced bananas, apples, mirabelles and loads of mineral oils. Candle wax, clearly. Then it strikes in the direction of citrus peelings, natural honey, lemongrass and a few leafy hints. Vanilla, ginger and a delicate trace of wooden. Pineapple and grassy inexperienced tea in the direction of the top.
End: medium to lengthy, on the identical components. Floral fruits, a delicate inexperienced edge and waxy notes.
Quintessential Imperial from the final yr of manufacturing. Extremely drinkable (medium complexity) however not too delicate – it is a naturally low power in spite of everything. I might have this any time, particularly with the summer season across the nook. Obtainable from Decadent Drinks or retailers like Grasp of Malt.
Tormore 33 yo 1992 (53,7%, Decadent Drinks ‘Whiskyland’ 2025, refill barrel, 157 btl.)
Nostril: stunning waxy notes, with hints of blossoms, just a little sage and lemon oils. Hints of apricot. After some time it strikes in the direction of chiffon leather-based, hay and hints of chalk. A number of aromatic touches. Then gentle furnishings polish, together with white grapes and cinnamon within the background.
Mouth: initially hints of candy fruits (apples, apricots) and Frisian sugar loaf. It quickly turns to sharper herbs. Aniseed, juniper and peppercorns, alongside zingy citrus peelings. Then some resinous notes and grains too. It will get extra austere, with a light-weight bitterness and hints of inexperienced tea.
End: lengthy, on natural tea, floral notes, waxes and apple acidity.
Fairly zesty, barely austere at occasions, even displaying a light-weight funky edge. A really attention-grabbing profile although, can’t wait to see extra Tormore available on the market. Obtainable from Decadent Drinks or The Whisky Alternate as an illustration. Rating: 89/100
Bladnoch 35 yo 1990 (54,2%, Decadent Drinks ‘Whiskyland’ 2025, refill barrel, 212 btl.)
Nostril: very seductive. Clearly extra rounded and buttery than the Imperial as an illustration, with extra vanilla and pastry notes. Then candy apricots, polished furnishings, whiffs of chalk and linseed, together with gentle hints of tobacco leaves. Additionally candy lemons and custard notes.
Mouth: a mixture of candy and zesty fruits. Lemons, honeysuckle and yellow plums, together with lime and a touch of leather-based. Extra of this bourbonny pastry sweetness earlier than it develops extra leafy notes, with mineral oils, ginger and citrus zest. Hints of bittersweet physalis too.
End: lengthy and lemony, with some honey, candy grass and drying oaky notes.
We’ve been spoiled by a decadent collection of Bladnoch from this bottlers (see this and this). It’s nonetheless true to its Lowlands grassiness however the luscious fruitiness makes this nice. Obtainable from Decadent Drinks or Royal Mile Whiskies amongst others. Rating: 90/100
