In this box, we explore what happens when wonderful single malts mingle, with a remarkable selection of blended malt Scotches. We’ve really pushed the blending boat out with this line up, featuring hard-to-find and discontinued bottlings, from lost distilleries resurrected and ABV whoppers, to a famous 21 year old malt whisky in disguise. Sláinte! – The Dram Team
A Medley of Malts, October 2023 Box
Lost Distillery Co, Towiemore Archivist's Selection
The Lost Distillery Co. have a unique approach to producing their rather excellent blended malts: Resurrecting house styles from long-ago closed distilleries. The Archivist range leans on their extensive academic research into lost distilleries, and uses well-aged malts, typically from 15-18 years of age. Towiemore operated in Speyside from 1897 to 1927 and produced liquid that was light and sweet.
Tasting notes
Nose: Honeyed lemon tea, freshly proving bread dough, cinnamon dusted melon slices and a whiff of eucalyptus oil.
Palate: A full and rich creamy palate, crème caramel.
Finish: As finishes go this is very long with soft sweet spices that seem to linger on forever.
Lost Distillery Co., Jericho Archivist's Selection
Our second Lost Distillery dram brings back to life an even older malt whisky. Founded in 1822, Jericho was located in Aberdeenshire and was known for specialising in small still distillation. The 1880s saw it renamed Benachie, and it ultimately closed during the First World War in 1915. Jericho was a sweet, sherry cask-matured malt with notes of vanilla and spice.
Tasting notes:
Nose: Cooked berries, figs, cinnamon and a hint of vanilla provides a wonderfully complex nose.
Palate: Dried fruit like raisins and candied ginger, make way for malty notes and hints of basil leaf.
Finish: White pepper comes through and cedar, with a final touch of blueberry finally gives way for a uniquely old style whisky taste
Shetland Reel, Batch Number 3
Hailing from the Shetland's Saxa Vord distillery, Shetland Reel represents this gin producer's first foray into whisky via blending, and is an award winning combination of Highland and Islay single malts. Batch 3 dates back to 2016, and we're only able to get our hands it after inheriting a few cases from an industry contact that were, quite literally, discovered in a dark and dusty corner of a whisky warehouse!
Tasting notes:
Nose: Sweet dried fruits, warming spices and a windswept peat flavour on the nose.
Palate: Initially, moreish vanilla and toffee notes from the Highland casks that are balanced by the smoky flavours of the Islay cask.
Finish: The finish is warming with lingering smoke and a well-rounded sweetness.
Wemyss Malts, Spice King Batch Strength
Wemyss Malts offer a selection of flavour-driven malt whiskies with characterful names. This release takes their core Spice King style and dials the spice and the oomph up to 11. If you're a fan of spicy, highland Scotch, this will blow your socks off at 56%!
Tasting notes:
Nose: Cinnamon, nutmeg and anise with a touch of coastal ozone. Heavier notes of Sandalwood and rich pipe tobacco entwine with caramel sauce.
Palate: Sweet demerara sugar drizzled on carrot cake mix with zesty orange rind and intriguing coastal notes providing a salted caramel like flavour. Gentle spices tickle on the palate intensifying to pink peppercorn.
Finish: Medium to long finish that jumps from caramel sauce tow wood smoke and black pepper.
Wemyss Malts, Peat Chimney Batch Strength
Designed for smoke fans (who would have guessed!), this batch strength release of Wemyss' Peat Chimney is a blend of no less than ten different single malts, including signature Islay whiskies. This magical combination produces rich maritime aromas and a potent sweet smoke finish. At a punchy 57% it packs a real wallop!
Tasting notes:
Nose: Like standing on the seashore with hemp rope and driftwood. Lime infused saddle soap, leather and creosote.
Palate: Peat smoke puffs over lemon salted fish. With water, the salty and smoke notes come to the fore.
Finish: A sweet smoke slowly sizzles to a softer finale.
Master of Malt, Westport Aged 21 Years
"Where on earth is Westport distillery?" and "Isn't this a single malt?", you might ask. Well, Westport does - and does not - exist, being the name adopted when single malt from the famous Glenmorangie distillery is "teaspooned". A wee drop of another single malt technically renders this well-aged liquid a blended malt instead. Technicality, schmechnicality we say! Enjoy this 21 year old dream dram...
Tasting notes:
Nose: Tarte Tatin with buttery pastry and elegant spice is followed by waxed peels and orange zest.
Palate: Mega fruity with dried orange wheels, stewed orchard fruits, and sweet, tropical notes.
Finish: Layers of toffee tangle with woody spice, finishing up with a touch of cinnamon, and earthen vanilla.
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