| |
Dwelling
1000’s of tastings,
all of the music,
all of the rambligs
and all of the enjoyable
(hopefully!)
Whiskyfun.com
Assured ad-free
copyright 2002-2025
|
 |
|
| Hello, that is one in all our (virtually) every day tastings. Santé! |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
January 20, 2025
|
|
  |
|
|
The world is ours as soon as once more |
This time, we’ll as soon as extra set off from France – though the placement of Château WF additionally permits us to simply depart from Switzerland or Germany – after which we’ll go on to go to Spain, Italy, Germany, Denmark, and Korea…
|
|
|
Ninkasi 2018/2024 ‘LAB 007’ (51.8%, OB, France, Tokay de Hongrie, cask #101, 162 bottles) 
We’re close to Lyon, in Tarare, the place this younger whisky was absolutely matured in Tokay casks, subsequently in candy wine wooden. They’re now additionally experimenting with vacuum distillation, a way that appears to be attracting an increasing number of curiosity, however this whisky seems to have been distilled in Charentais alembic stills. We had loved LAB 005 two years in the past (WF 85). Color: full copper. Nostril: the Tokay is extremely current and even dominant, bringing to thoughts the universe of an ultra-fortified candy wine. The excellent news is that the malt feels gentle and permits itself to mix in with out resistance. Notes of toasted bread, butterscotch, overripe peaches, glue, and beeswax polish. With water: little adjustments, although faint hints of an previous wine cellar emerge. Mouth (neat): considerably ‘premix’, with the bitterness of European oak (Hungarian?) and barely muscat-like, candy notes of Tokay. It’s very distinctive. With water: it leans in direction of bitters, mustard, Greek-style pickled mushrooms, bitter beer, previous walnuts, and amontillado. End: pretty lengthy, prolonging the palate. Feedback: some components are paying homage to BM. Very tough to attain—I really feel LAB 005 was extra approachable. Take this with a grain of salt.
SGP:461 – 82 factors. |
|
|
Sherishòr 12 yo (54%, OB, Spain, ‘pure malt whisky’, 1400 bottles, +/-2024) 
That is really 3-year-old ex-bourbon Scottish malt, additional matured for 9 years in Andalusia in real bodega oloroso sherry casks, some 50 years previous. These are actual solera butts, not the bespoke seasoned casks that just about everybody else makes use of. We had already tasted a forty five% ABV model, which we preferred immensely (WF 87). Color: amber. Nostril: precisely as anticipated, which means completely brimming with roasted nuts, plump raisins, and dates coated in darkish and milk chocolate. Then a contact of Mon Chéri (if I’ll). With water: extra elegant, with English pipe tobaccos, black teas, and mocha. Mouth (neat): numerous oak, suggesting these butts weren’t all that historic, however the oloroso character is full-on. Baggage of darkish chocolate, previous walnuts, black pepper, cloves, and pipe tobacco. It’s virtually like a Jerez brandy, although with out the sweetness of 99% of them. With water: it stays dry and maybe a contact tough on account of huge spices—loads of pepper. End: lengthy and really spicy. 90% darkish chocolate and closely roasted espresso beans. Feedback: I wouldn’t say it’s ‘higher’ than the 45% ABV model; in reality, it feels drier, nevertheless it’s nonetheless wonderful. A real journey to Jerez, straight out of your glass.
SGP:561 – 87 factors. |
|
Proper then, off to Italy…
|
|
|
Exmu 2021/2024 (49.5%, OB, Italy, for Whisky Milano, first fill sherry rundlet, cask #20100-004, 150 bottles)
This comes from Sardinia, and the cask was a rundlet. Bear in mind Springbank’s ‘Rundlets & Kilderkins’ sequence? Apparently, a rundlet is an archaic (apologies, Sardinia) English measure equal to fifteen imperial gallons. I’ll add that we liked final yr’s Exmu ex-bourbon model (Spirit of Sardinia 45.5%, WF 88). Color: darkish amber. Nostril: excuse me? What is that this? It opens with daring wafts of geranium, tomato bush, prickly pear, and cherry-flavoured pipe tobacco (so far as I recall), then strikes in direction of prunes and juniper. Very uncommon. With water: chocolate and whisky truffles. Mouth (neat): Mon Chéri will get talked about but once more (no product placement right here, although maybe we must always), adopted by coriander seeds and an avalanche of blackcurrants and sloe berries. Hints of wooden glue and kirsch with water. Okay, sure, it does evoke wooden glue. End: lengthy, with black tobacco, blackberry jam, juniper, and a contact of marmalade on the finish. Feedback: twists and turns, however that is fairly spectacularly… Andalusian. Apologies once more. In spite of everything, Sardinia does appear to be the a part of Italy closest to Jerez.
SGP:661 – 86 factors. |
|
Since we’re on the subject of barely loopy issues…
|
|
|
St. Kilian ‘Whisky Solera’ (57.6%, OB, Germany, 683 bottles, 2024)
We couldn’t discover a picture of this very latest launch, however we didn’t wish to delay issues, so we used a photograph of a earlier model—hope that’s high quality? Color: deep gold. Nostril: sherry, peat, and candied citrus, adopted by a contact of burnt tyre and even hints of internal tube whiffs. Beautiful, particularly because it’s all very well-integrated, with no single aroma dominating, not even the burnt rubber. Is that the solera impact? With water: notes of steady, horse saddle, barnyard… we like it! Mouth (neat): that is actually nicely achieved, with that very same sense of ‘oneness,’ even when it’s moderately intense. Ginger, nutmeg, honey, peat, mandarin, liquorice, wormwood, lemon… a correct little orchestra. With water: as ordinary, the wooden spices come ahead a bit extra. End: lengthy, with peppered marmalade, smoke, and a faint saltiness. Feedback: I feel French distillers ought to add a contact of insanity and real uniqueness to their ideas and go for much less of the ‘severe’ strategy—they may take inspiration from St. Kilian (although I’m undecided Bud Spencer and Terence Hill would resonate in France, to be truthful).
SGP:566 – 86 factors. |
|
|
St. Kilian 2017/2024 (58.8%, The Whisky Jury, Germany, first fill oloroso, cask #1535, 315 bottles) 
Unbiased bottlings of whiskies from ‘world’ distilleries are fairly uncommon, and after they occur, it’s at all times a superb signal. The Jury had already chosen a St. Kilian 2019/2023 that I discovered very good (WF 88). Color: gold. Nostril: very Islay-like, closely peated, and moderately recent, with the sherry’s walnuts lurking within the background. That stated, with out water, it’s not very complicated—however that’s completely high quality. So… With water: as soon as once more, water works wonders, unveiling citrus fruits and medicinal touches (camphor, iodine, ointments, eucalyptus, and many others.). Mouth (neat): daring, lemony, citrusy general, and really peaty. However keep away from fallacious turns—they may virtually kill you (I simply tried—gasp!). (lengthy pause…) With water: pronounced ginger and cinnamon notes convey out the wooden, however there’s additionally buttery orange cream, after which… and even lemon tart. After which… End: very lengthy, with pretty typical indicators of youth. Citrus, spices, peat, and distinguished ginger. Feedback: I’d say it’s on the identical stage because the 2019/2023… however moderately much less entertaining than the official solera.
SGP:567 – 88 factors.
|
|
|
Thy (48%, OB, Denmark, single malt, 2024)
That is the ‘core’ single malt from the Danish distillery. Thus far, we’ve solely tasted one Thy, an exquisite indie model by BB&R (see remark about indie bottlers above). Furthermore, that is an ‘own-estate’ malt and natural too, with one of many barleys being ‘Babushka,’ which might’t assist however remind us of Kate Bush, can it? Bottled in December 2024, so it’s very recent. Color: gold. Nostril: it’s certainly very recent, vigorous, maritime, elegant, delicately smoky, with apples, lemon, seaweed, small oysters, then inexperienced melon and jasmine. One raisin and one recent walnut. Stunning vivacity. Mouth: actually distinctive, nonetheless recent, pretty highly effective, beginning with blueberry (fairly uncommon), then blood oranges, recent walnuts, liquorice, and smoky citrus (if such a factor existed). You virtually wish to add water, although that doesn’t appear important… With water: a contact extra in direction of oranges and recent ginger. End: lengthy, at all times recent, fruity, joyful, and distinctive. A touch of violet, strawberry (from peat—yep), with a number of ashes within the aftertaste. Feedback: I actually like this loads—it has model! There are a lot extra Thys to style, and we’re wanting ahead to it.
SGP:653 – 88 factors. |
|
|
Caogad Tri 2020/2024 (61.9%, Whisky Werk, Germany, virgin oak, cask #3)
That is whisky distilled to Whisky Werk’s specs in a German distillery that isn’t talked about, there’s a sheer variety of distilleries in Germany. It’s fascinating to see distilleries working to order like this, moderately than simply promoting fillings or mature casks. Color: reddish amber. Nostril: earthy tones, desserts (banana and pear), and pumpernickel. At this energy, water is rapidly added… With water: a real avalanche of blood oranges and a small piece of panettone; small however bursting with orange blossom. Mouth (neat): orange marmalade with cinnamon and honey, plus a contact of molasses. Beautiful oily texture, little doubt enhanced by the virgin oak. With water: orange and ginger cake with a touch of turmeric. End: lengthy and wealthy, on marmalade, pepper, and ginger. Feedback: a number of orange on this very well-made German malt, and since there’s pumpernickel too, and contemplating it’s maybe not an excellent thought to drink correct orange juice for breakfast (based on the press), let’s exchange all of it with a small glass of this pleasant Caogad Tri proper tomorrow morning. Possibly not…
SGP:651 – 86 factors. |
|
Since we’re in Goethe’s nation…
|
|
|
The 9 Springs (46%, OB, Germany, ex-bourbon, cask #1128) 
We’re in Worbis, not removed from Göttingen, between Magdeburg and Kassel, you see? Color: white wine. Nostril: very younger, very fruity, with pear, apple, pineapple, vanilla, barley syrup, and a high quality, gentle woodiness. All is nicely. Mouth: extremely fruity, virtually like barley eau-de-vie. Apples, pears, and hints of violet and liquorice. End: medium size, with a fruity profile dominated by pear—however we love pear. Feedback: recent, younger, fruity, severe, and with no single flaw.
SGP:641 – 83 factors. |
|
|
Craftbros 2023/2024 ‘IPA New child’ (58.3%, OB, South Korea, double matured, first fill oloroso hogshead and new American oak cask, 979 bottles)
Managing a double maturation in only a yr is spectacular! Craft brewers on the helm, based mostly in Gimpo, northwest of Seoul. I’m undecided the place the IPA comes into play right here, however does it actually matter? That is the third Korean distillery we’ve tried, although we nonetheless have a mushy spot for the primary Kimchangsoo. Color: gold. Nostril: explosively fruity, paying homage to the primary Sierra Nevada IPA I drank within the Nineteen Nineties. Transferring on… It smells intensely hoppy, loaded with pink grapefruit, violet liqueur, and lychees. I have to admit, I fairly prefer it, even when it’s miles away from conventional whisky profiles. With water: guava, grapefruit, mango, and honey cocktail vibes. Mouth (neat): someplace between pure rye, buckwheat, rice whisky, and certainly a triple IPA. The fruitiness is ballistic—mango and grapefruit. With water: leaning extra in direction of zesty flavours, a contact of gin, and much more unleashed grapefruit. End: lengthy and extravagantly fruity all through. Pear and rosewater. Feedback: I don’t adore it as a whisky, however I am keen on it as an eau-de-vie. What to do with that? Additionally, was the wash hopped? A purely indicative rating, it’s not 3, so not whisky anyway.
SGP:930 – 85 factors. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
