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.
Wait what this is whiskey tastes like aftershave or the latest hair club tonic
After all the bad reviews I had to see for myself since it was on sale here at half price. My taste in Scotch gravitates to Macallan, Highland Park, Dalwhinnie, Laphroaig, Glenmorangie and Talisker, so I think I have an appreciation for quality. The Haig Club on first taste was - just odd. Wierd. Can't put my finger on it but I get the references to vodka, grain alcohol, paint thinner, etc. And although I won't "blowtorch my nipples off" before drinking it again (LOL) I'll keep trying it to see if my opinion changes. As it is, it is drinkable, smooth, and very, very different. But $60 USD? No way. Maybe $25 - $30. Glad I got it at discount. I'll give it this, it is memorable since I've never tasted anything like it.
The branding has been incredibly clever I'll give them that, it appeals to mass market which is something a scotch rarely achieves, however; The price is equivalent to a decent 12 or even 16 year malt, this tastes like they got impatient, left it for three years, then added some caramel colouring and artificial liquid smoke flavouring (I'm not kidding, the stuff they put in barbecue sauce, it tastes like that) I've never pretended to be an expert but this is horrible, it specifies no age on the bottle and suggests it's good with ice or for mixing (?!!) what single malt ever says mix it with Coke on the label Absolutely horrible, intended for the young posh look at my bloody red trousers types who have no idea what they're doing, seriously, most Welsh whiskey is better than this!
I had my first taste of this whisky on New Years Eve and I must say its one of the best I have ever tasted. Mellow and not to overpowering this will be on my Christmas list for years to come, I liked bells but after one drink I will never get bells again.
smooth but exciting I'm a Glenfiddich person, but like this very much and will continue to drink it GREAT BLUE BOTTLE
