It's time again for us here at Whisky Marketplace to offer a few of our recent favourites for your consideration. It's another eclectic group this month!
Aside from that we have one of Bruichladdich's many "aced" (extra matured etc) releases, a new and well anticipated release from Springbank's recently introduced Rundlets & Kilderkins line and a recently issued bottling from our old friend Clynelish in the form of a 15 year old distilled in 1997. Enjoy!
Staff Picks - our choices for this month
Longrow Rundlets & Kilderkins
This is the Springbank distillery's second release in this series, featuring spirit matured in these charmingly named and undersized casks. The first bottling featured the classic 2.7 times distilled Springbank make, while the second makes use of the beautiful, peated Longrow distillate. Like almost anything that comes from this legendary flag barer for "old school" whisky, this release is well worth a look; the gloriously mineral, dry smoke that characterises Longrow matched with the boldness of these small casks makes for both an intriguing and delicious dram.
£58.49 at www.thewhiskyexchange.com
Bruichladdich 17 Year Old Rum Finish
This was the first Rum Cask whisky to really turn my head. Initially aged in American Oak barrels then 'finished' for a healthy two years in ex-rum casks from Guyana's finest distilleries Uitvlugt and Enmore. All the qualities of a great Scotch Whisky bathed in the warmth of a tropical Caribbean holiday. This is a very well rounded whisky with the rum finish teasing out the malty, cereal flavours. Delicate sweet butterscotch infused with exotic floral aromas. Yum!
£54.39 at www.shop4whisky.com
Clynelish 15 year old, 1997 Master of Malt
The chaps at Master of Malt are certainly a busy bunch and have justly drawn much attention for their own bottlings in recent times. Much of the talk has focused around the companies frequently excellent (in flavour and value) and jovially labeled Boutique-y Whisky company releases, but that's not to say they their other ranges have lost any steam at all. This little beauty from Clynelish is a prime example, and though I'm certainly a self confessed obsessive when it comes to the output of this wonderfull distillery, these 97s are rarely a let down. Waxy, fruity, gently honeyed and coastal.....classic Clynelish, need we say more?
£74.95 at www.masterofmalt.com
Boxes Blend
Perfumes designed by film stars. Clothes designed by footballers. Whiskies designed by bass players... I'll be honest I was ready to dislike this on principle. However, it's actually a lot better than it has any right to be. The only problem is, at over £50 a bottle, it's a little pricey but then it has a curiosity value. There are certainly better value blends than Mr Willets' creation but how many of the master blenders who make them play bass as well as him?
£54.95 at www.masterofmalt.com
