The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.2 (60.9%, OB, 4788 Bottles, 2019)

• ABV: 60.9%
• Age: NAS
• Bottling: OB
• Category: English single malt whisky
• Cost: £63.95
• Origin: The Lakes Distillery
• Vintage: undeclared

Image courtesy of Master of Malt

What they say

The Lakes Single Malt Whisky Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.2 is an intense and robust expression, bottled at cask strength (60.9% ABV) and matured in the finest, meticulously sourced PX, red wine and bourbon casks. Non-chill filtered and bottled at natural colour.

The nose is rich and complex with dry fruits and treacle, creamy layers of wood spice and comforting vanilla on the palate and a long, luxurious finish.

The Whiskymaker’s Reserve is an artistic exploration of oak and blending; of flavour evolution and defining a house style. Creating a new whisky requires a framework of sorts, but there has to be room within it to play, to follow gut feeling and instinct. The architecture of each release of Whiskymaker’s Reserve will evolve in keeping with both our increasing sherry cask influence and our sense of adventure.

Enjoy as you please. As this release is bottled at cask strength, we recommend adding a few drops of water to open up the flavours.

Official tasting notes:

• Nose: SULTANAS, TREACLE, SUN-DRIED FIGS AND GENTLE SPICES.
• Palate: WARMING SPICES, VANILLA AND DRY FRUITS.
• Finish: LONG AND WARMING WITH A SMOOTH, CREAMY MOUTHFEEL.

What I say

The second instalment of The Lakes Distillery Whiskymaker’s Reserve collection.

This post was sponsored by The Lakes Distillery by provision of a sample of this product.

My tasting notes:

• Appearance: Full amber gold (10/20), fine tears and medium-fine legs.
• Nose: Polished and waxed fruits, spicy, cinnamon, redcurrant, raisin, red apple skin, plum, a little cloying
• Taste: Red apple skin dusted with cinnamon, hotter on the palate with spirity fruit and toffee notes, some polished wood and dry vanilla pods
• Finish: Long, fruity, reflux/spirity prickly spices and tannins

Overall

More of the same! The 1st edition was a very drinkable (albeit with a little water required) expression and this follows much in the same vein. Enticingly and subtly different, reflective of the cask used in its construction but to the same high standard and quality.

Score 83/100

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