The professionals at The Whisky Trade not too long ago started sending common releases of a few of their most up-to-date inventory, all exclusives which can be accessible solely in its shops and on the TWE web site. We’ve obtained an enormous assortment of latest releases which have dropped over the previous couple of months, together with a lot of single malt Scotch, some sudden Irish whiskey, and a pair or rum releases. All have been tasted primarily based on small samples (which TWE additionally sells). Pricing proven is as supplied (and can range primarily based in your native forex).
The entire under Signatory Classic releases are single cask choices, whereas the opposite choices (together with TWE’s The Seasons: Spring) have broader availability. All are 700ml choices.
Scotch
Signatory Classic Clynelish 2008 Bourbon Cask 17 Years Previous Evaluation
A completely bourbon barrel-aged single cask whisky, this can be a sunny expression of Clynelish, pairing ample lemon curd and spiced pears with its creamy vanilla and toasted marshmallow core. Waxy on the palate with a tropical character that develops with a bit air time, the end is effusive and toasty — and surprisingly gritty given its comparatively low abv, with peppery barrel char notes lingering. I had a really small pattern on this one to work with, nevertheless it was the whisky I needed to revisit essentially the most. 106.2 proof. A / £145
Signatory Classic Whitlaw 2013 First Fill PX Sherry Hogshead 11 Years Previous Evaluation
Not conversant in “Whitlaw”? It’s an open-secret pseudonym for Highland Park used with some indie bottlings. Boldly sherried to inside an inch of its life, this monster of a single malt pours on that Pedro Ximenez character from the beginning — intensely nutty, with heavy notes of torched orange peel, well-oxidized wine, and golden raisins. Chewy and moist with fruit, the expertise is sharp and seductive, with that mild contact of peat endemic to Highland Park ringing the perimeters. An Orkney social gathering in your mouth that’s far out of your typical dram of HP. 116 proof. A- / $119
Signatory Classic Blair Athol 2011 First Fill Ruby Port End 13 Years Previous Evaluation
This Speyside distillery is a substantial rarity (we’ve seen it exactly as soon as), and with a ruby Port end? That is absolutely distinctive. The Port pops from the beginning: Juicy pink currants, raisins, and cherries are exuberant on the nostril, and whereas the palate kicks off with all that moist fruit, issues finally retreat again to extra acquainted climes: toasted cereal, mushroom, and a end that’s nearer to sherry than Port. Molasses notably lingers on the prolonged fade-out. 115.6 proof. A- / $132
Signatory Classic Mortlach 2003 Bourbon Cask 21 Years Previous Evaluation
Mortlach is never aged solely in American oak, however this single barrel bottling makes a robust case for it. Christmassy from the get-go, it exudes the essence of Mortlach all through. Nicely-toasted and well-sweetened cereal grains, butterscotch, and a barely funky, coal-fired herbaceousness mix to present the nostril a complexity that’s unusual in unfinished malts like this. A perfumed high quality emerges because it develops, pairing properly with growing notes of sesame and coconut cream. Barely brief on the nutty, vaguely gummy end, however in any other case a scrumptious, enveloping dram. 116.6 proof. A- / £245
Signatory Classic Edradour 2011 First Fill Marsala Hogshead 13 Years Previous Evaluation
A lot pleasant fruit right here — on each nostril and palate — with notes of raisins and clove-studded oranges hitting earlier than a pungent be aware of allspice and that unmistakable oxidized Marsala wine aroma arrives. Heady and unctuous, the viscous palate takes a flip towards nutty notes late within the recreation, melding with some turned earth and anise to finish a racy journey. Come prepared for the wine, although. Bottled solely for The Whisky Trade by Signatory Classic, together with the next 4 malts. 117.8 proof. B+ / $132
Signatory Classic Linkwood 2008 Bourbon Cask 16 Years Previous Evaluation
This bourbon barrel-aged Speyside providing doesn’t provide a lot in the way in which of surprises and is in most methods essentially the most conventional and unchallenging malt on this lineup. Nothing mistaken with it, however not like, say, the Mortlach launch, which can be absolutely aged in a bourbon barrel, unique components are elusive. Mushy sesame cookie notes, nougat, and crumbly vanilla pound cake dominate, with some very mild fruitiness on the again finish — apple, then a touch of orange oil. A reasonably brief end doesn’t overly shock. Effective, contemplating the value. 117.4 proof. B / £90
The Seasons: Spring Glentauchers 2013 10 Years Previous Evaluation
Fairly, vivid Speyside malt that’s absolutely bourbon-barrel aged, however which evokes the sweetness and citrus fruit of a sherry-casked whisky. A touch of charry smoke on the nostril gives a savory component, alongside daring aromas of dried flowers, tea leaves, and incense. Sharp on the tongue at full proof, a splash of water improves issues immensely, tempering a stunning warmth to make room for rounder fruit notes of baked apples, pastry dough, and lemon curd, resulting in an immersive end — although it’s extra fall-focused than spring. 117.2 proof. B+ / £74
The Seasons: Spring Linkwood 2013 10 Years Previous Evaluation
A youthful Linkwood launch additionally casked in American bourbon oak. The profile has a lot in frequent with the 16 12 months previous reviewed above, kicking off with a surprisingly racy assault evoking shortbread and baking spice, then layers of gently savory components, together with hemp rope, leather-based, and a contact of barrel char. A splash of water evokes fruit extra clearly, simply because it does within the 16 12 months previous above, apples and pears resulting in a end of milk chocolate. Good worth and wonderful for “having fun with as a cheeky pre dinner drink or perhaps even in a highball”, per TWE, however maybe too restrained for a particular launch like this. 115.4 proof. B / £69
The Seasons: Spring Caol Ila 2014 9 Years Previous Evaluation
Caol Ila — yeah, you realize me… This can be a closely smoked rendition of the Islay traditional, well-torched with traditional notes of applewood bonfire, grilled citrus, and loads of moist, boggy peat. Calmly vegetal on the again finish, with a slightly youthful conclusion that leans absolutely into the smoky punch that composes the spine of the whisky. It’s a bit one-note however current followers of Caol Ila will gravitate to its acquainted, if simplistic, profile. 119.8 proof. B / £76
Irish Whiskey
Inexperienced Spot 2013 Bourbon Cask 10 Years Previous Evaluation
Inexperienced Spot is historically 7 to 10 years previous, aged in each sherry and bourbon casks. With this expression a ten 12 months previous solely aged in bourbon — is it nonetheless actually Inexperienced Spot or is it one thing else solely? You’ll have time to ponder that as you sip the cask power expression, which is a fantastic exploration of every little thing that makes Irish whiskey nice — honey, almond nougat, and heathery pastoral notes, touched with only a little bit of citrus. Some toasty wooden evokes the age of the whiskey and its bourbon barrel origins, however the Three Musketeers sweetness on the end retains all of it grounded in Ireland. Strive a splash of water to coax out a little bit of salinity. 113.2 proof. A- / $238
Jameson 23 Years Previous Small Batch Evaluation
This can be a actual shock — the oldest age-statemented Jameson ever bottled by the distiller. Previous Jameson might be actually superb, and my excessive hopes for this whiskey weren’t in useless: It’s a transformative Irish, a mix of pot nonetheless and grain whiskey, 4 casks solely, with some sherry on it. Tart apples and cherry marmalade kick issues off, resulting in notes of orange peel after which, in brief order, an enveloping rush of caramel, toffee, and coconut. Raisins — nearly prune-like — give the end a superbly fruity conclusion. Positively one thing for which 30ml doesn’t do justice. 110.2 proof. A / £325
Rum
Worthy Park 2017 6 Years Previous Bourbon Cask Evaluation
The primary of two releases from famed Jamaican rum distillery Worthy Park presents itself as an iconic instance of high-ester pot nonetheless rum, overloading the senses with notes of bubblegum, stewed fruit, and vanilla candies. It’s a brash and slightly easy expertise that completely pours on these candied fruit notes, actually to the exclusion of every little thing else. Warming and oh-so-sweet, with unceasing bubblegum notes clinging to the end. This looks like it will be a very good a part of a mix, however is aggressive by itself. 108 proof. B / $119
Worthy Park 2015 8 Years Previous Calvados End Evaluation
A one-off Price Park aged 5 years in bourbon barrels, three in a Calvados barrel. What a wildly completely different expertise than the 6 12 months previous above — all these candied notes properly tempered by milk chocolate, baked apples, and a extra soothing, rounded vanilla character. To make certain, it’s no apple bomb, however slightly a fruit salad that makes use of its apple-driven character as a stability in opposition to the opposite complexities within the combine. A heavy layer of caramel sauce and fudgy chocolate provides a obligatory soothing high quality, with tobacco-heavy natural hints on the fade-out. Enjoyable stuff. 128 proof. A- / $132
[BUY THEM NOW FROM THE WHISKEY EXCHANGE]
Signatory Classic Edradour 2011 First Fill Marsala Hogshead 13 Years Previous
USD132
Visited 28 occasions, 28 go to(s) at present
