In this box, we see in the New Year in high spirits, with a box-fresh line up of six recent and exciting releases from a varied panel of top-notch whisky makers – some of them rather new themselves. Happy New Year, and happy new drams!
New Year New Drams box: January 2022 Box
Filey Bay, IPA Finish Batch #1
Spirit of Yorkshire distillery got their heads together with their sister company, Wold Top Brewery, to create a field-to-bottle version of their fruity single malt finished in ex-IPA casks. The hoppy bitter notes from the IPA marry wonderfully with the light, creamy, vanilla of the whisky. Beer-utiful!
Tasting notes:
Light, fruity and biscuity with notes of green apple, pear drops, lemon cake and hops.
Falls of Caledonia, Glentauchers Aged 6 Years
An absolutely whopping single cask sherry bomb that explodes with flavour on the palate. Matured in a sherry hogshead casks for 6 years, only 230 bottles were released by up-and-coming New Kids on the indie-bottling-Block, Heroes & Heretics. A great new bottler producing exciting releases so far.
Tasting notes:
On the nose: Caramel toffee, almond fudge and raisins. On the palate: Biscuity with undertones of bacon, salt and dried fruit. On the finish: Leather and ale.
Spearhead
Scotch stalwarts Loch Lomond may have been making whisky a long time, but that doesn't stop these Willy Wonkas of distilling doing new things. This is a 100% malted barley spirit, distilled in a Coffey still (rather than a traditional pot still) and matured in infrared and fire toasted virgin oak barrels from a Kentucky cooperage. It's a fresh take on Scotch aimed at enticing younger drinkers (like us, right?!).
Tasting notes:
Nose: Violet floral notes, dark berries - blackcurrant and blackberry, vanilla pods, caramel, dark chocolate. Palate: Velvety mouthfeel rolls over the tongue. red apple with lime citrus, vanilla fudge and light brown sugar. Finish: Long, smooth and sweet with melted brown sugar.
Compass Box, Orchard House
A spirit and fruit forward blend of Scotch malts from expert blenders Compass Box, featuring the likes of Clynelish, Linkwood and Benrinnes distilleries. All the flavours of an orchard and more!
Tasting notes:
Nose: Apple, pear and peach initially. Hints of rich peat and black cherry. Pineapple, all manner of citrus zests and Earl Grey tea. Ginger leads into maltiness. Vanilla and toasted desiccated coconut. Sweet biscuity notes with touches of cinnamon. Palate: Apple juice, muesli, banana and honey. Wild strawberry. Very breakfast-like! An oily texture with subtle peat. Sultana, vanilla and then creaminess infused with hay and meadowsweet. Finish: Hints of cocoa powder.
Milk & Honey, Elements Series Peated Cask
Israel's first whisky distillery brings you this cunningly composed release that uses 41% ex-Islay whisky casks to imbue their single malt with light peat notes. The smoke merges beautifully with the fruity new make spirit to give a very mellow and delicate peated dram.
Tasting notes:
Nose: Delightfully fresh. A distinct smoky, earthy scent opens to a unique balance of vanilla and oak notes, with a hint of lemon. Palate: Medium bodied. Vanilla sweetness is followed by a delicate peat touch. A light spiciness accompanies ginger and lemon flavours. Finish: Long. The peat coats the mouth, with delicate oak and lemon flavours lingering on the tongue.
Glenfarclas, 185th Anniversary Edition
Iconic independent family-owned Scotch distillery Glenfarclas turned 185 years young in 2020, and this was the whisky they made to celebrate. Rumoured to contain a portion of spirit from each of the last 4 decades, it's a very special drop indeed.
Tasting notes:
Nose: Forest fruit jam, buttery toasted fruit bread with Christingle orange and festive spice. Palate: Old, rich, sherried flavours that remain fresh and vibrant in the glass. Christmas cake fruit and spice with Christingle orange. Finish: Prolonged Christmas spice with stewed fruits and wood.
How to get your New Year New Drams box
This is a fantastic set of drams which is guaranteed to get your new year off to an excellent start...
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