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.
After reading about this new 'product'in various publications I took the opportunity to try a sample in my local bar. I have to admit to having a few beers previously so my palate could have been dulled. In my opinion it's not worst I have tried (Paddy takes that honor) but this is only due to it having little or no real flavour. In the glass it is pale in colour and thin in viscosity, offering very little nose. I should have stuck with my usual 'late night bar choice' of a Jamesons as I normally only drink single malts at home, Caol Ila or Macallan being my favourites.
Come on. Can you really market this as whisky?
After trying some very good grain whiskies I saw this in the supermarket and decided to buy it, was pricey but was excited to try a new whisky. Totally unaware of the celebrity connection or any previous reviews. I'm not upset at how bad this whisky is I'm fully disgusted that the whisky industry, one which I hold in high regard for quality has stooped so low. This is terribly awful, it's not bad because it's a grain, it's not bad because it's young. Both grain and young whisky of any kind can be fantastic if the caliber of the casks and maturation is of a high standard. This is bad whisky because it's bad quality, poor quality casks with very little quality to give. And is has no age statement which I am personally against. Don't buy this, buy a better whisky to fill your soul with joy and wonder, instead of haig club which will do nothing more than make you sad and regretful.
Unlike some, I quite like the bottle. It's just a great shame that the contents are so disappointing. If this had been my introduction to whisky, I would have turned to something else, like meths. Meths has a similar nose and is a fraction of the price
Beautiful bottle, terrible drink.
