Hah a curve ball in the form of this Chestnut wood cask, whilst distinctly not oak, but then again this is not Scotch, it is a blended English whisky so I’m unsure if English whisky regulations exist or preclude the use of other wood (much like Irish chestnut casked whiskey sampled previously). Something a little different and very tasty! 84/100
A flavour journey rather than destination, plenty of spice and heat but also packed full of vanilla and nutty oak. Superb as it comes but takes a drop of water well if you like it a little calmer. 85/100
Approachable rye whisky, touches of spice and earth from the Rye grains but plenty of sweet vanilla and oak wood influence too, quite enjoyable. 84/100
Slightly spiced and dessert-like Bourbon, the cognac cask finish has subdued some of the sweetness and given a richer, woodier and slightly festive spice feel to this one. 85/100
A lovely and subtle, almost floral, woody and smokey expression, just what I imagine a campfire in a Swedish pine forest smells like. 86/100
Blind tasting – Definitely peated but plenty of other powerful maturation notes going on in this one too, didn’t pick up on the ABV but it tasted right even at this strength – typical of Indian whiskies. 84/100
Blind tasting – Dark coloured but quite smooth and soft in flavours, I was misled by the Oloroso cask maturation effect on the colour here I think. Again having recently sampled through Armorik’s core range and latest peated expression I had no idea how close this one was to them! 83/100
Blind tasting – Oddly herbal and sweet, this has plenty of Japanese influence and reminded me of some of the Hakushu expressions. 86/100
Blind-tasted – Reasonably simple definite corn-led grain whisky with bourbon-oak maturation, possibly from somewhere with a slightly warmer climate, I guessed a grain or pot-still Irish whiskey due to the sweet and spiced nature. 83/100
Packed full of malt and aromatic wood with gentle wisps of smoke, this is seriously delicious. 88/100
