The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.3 (54%, OB, 9700 Bottles, 2020)

• ABV: 54%
• Age: NAS
• Bottling: OB
• Category: English single malt whisky
• Cost: £63.95
• Origin: The Lakes Distillery
• Vintage: undeclared

What they say

The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.3 is an aromatic expression, matured in the finest, meticulously sourced PX, Oloroso, Cream Sherry and red wine casks, bottled at 54% ABV.

The nose is rich and fragrant with incense, spiced chocolate and toffee; layers of honey, figs and wood spice on the palate create a long, warming 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.

Official tasting notes:

• Nose: AROMATIC INCENSE, SPICED CHOCOLATE AND TOFFEE
• Palate: HONEY, FIGS AND WOOD SPICE
• Finish: LONG, WARMING AND LINGERING.

What I say

The third instalment of The Lakes Distillery Whiskymaker’s Reserve collection from their whiskymaker Dhavall Gandhi.

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

My tasting notes:

• Appearance: Orange amber gold (11/20), fine tears and beaded legs.
• Nose: Heady and fruity, fruit punch, sherry, leather, fig, peach, apricot, plum, boozy Christmas cake, orange zest, winey grapes, hint of milk chocolate, orange & cherry sherbet dib-dab, a little toffee and coffee.
• Taste: Fruity, zesty orange, sharp and citric, some cinnamon spice and spirit builds, medium-light bodied, flavour persists but doesn’t change much on the palate, with a drop of water it is more palatable creamier and smoother and mellow.
• Finish: Short, fruity, creamy, syrupy then drying.

Overall

A definite move in the right direction in this series, delivered at a more approachable ABV. This has a super nose but sadly it is not totally backed up on the palate. Perhaps an indication of the Lakes young spirit, given time (maturation) perhaps this inbalance will be redressed?

Score 85/100

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