The much anticipated David Beckham endorsed single grain whisky, produced at Cameronbridge distillery. A combination of first-fill, rejuvenated and refill bourbon barrel-matured whiskies are used and Beckham, along with Simon Fuller, is very much involved in the development of the Haig Club brand.
The Haig dynasty meanwhile is the stuff of legend, with Robert Haig getting himself into trouble for distilling on the sabbath back in 1655! Cameronbridge was founded by John Haig in 1824, and a continuous still designed by Robert Stein (who was John's uncle) was soon installed at the site for the production of grain whisky, predating Aeneas Coffey's famous patent for his own version of the continuous still by a handful of years.
The grain whisky produced at Cameronbridge would naturally become integral to the well-loved Haig blended whiskies and now the Haig brand has been reinvented for a new generation and new markets. It may seem like a scary new world to some, but grain whisky is on the march, and Haig Club is at the very forefront.
It doesn't jump out at you, granted, but there's more here than meets the eye (/nose). Apple crumble, expressed lemon peel and a touch of mango. Millionaire's shortbread, banoffee pie, coconut milk, dried grass, orange Turkish delight and cardamom.
Toffee and vanilla with pleasant supporting oak notes. Fresh banana (neither overpowering nor artificial), a hint of nougat and honeycomb pieces.
Praline, cinnamon and a little ginger with perhaps a hint of cardamom returning right at the death.
Approachable, adaptable, good mouthfeel (I chucked some ice in afterwards and the texture was great). A hugely accessible whisky with tasty spice, toffee and, with the ice now, increasingly some tropical fruit notes too.
I do not have high hope for it after reading a few bad review. Bought it anyway because of DB. Now it sitting in my bathroom for use as mouthwash after I finished my listerine. I think listerine taste better
Ok so I normally purchase peaty heavyweight whiskies - Lagavulin 16yo, Ardbeg Uigeadail etc. As such I was skeptical of this celebrity endorsed dram. It's light , almost no nose - floral taste is different from any whisky I've tried but that shouldn't count against it. It's just different - light, fresh and easy drinking.
Trendy bottle and ties to Beckham. Great way to get people into whiskey. Easy to drink and decent taste. Best over ice. Maybe knock the price down a bit.
I have enjoyed my first Haig Experience. I will be going back for more. I am a big Jura Fan and put this on a par.
IMHO grain whiskey is blended with malt whiskey to stretch the malts. Drinking a single grain whiskey is like kissing your sister. Trust me, the best way to taste grain whiskey is have one sip and then throw away the bottle. Do a test taste, comparing Beckham's Haig Club, Black Bottle, Black Grouse, Famous Grouse plus any malt of your choice. I guarantee that the more expensive Haig Club will finish last. Now why can't Becks stick to Pie and Mash and finally bring us the PM restaurant he promised?
