Scotland
1 Jan 1991
Bourbon
Upon first trying this North British, we couldn't believe it was a grain whisky. It's so full of character, with such a thick, rich bourbon cask influence, we had to bottle it! This was distilled on the 22nd January 1991, and was aged in a first fill bourbon barrel for 20 years before bottling in March 2011. A single cask release of 244 bottles. As with any Master of Malt bottled whisky, this is non-chillfiltered, and has not been caramel coloured.
This is definitely bourbon. Yup, that’s bourbon alright. Bourbon. Oily, laden with vanilla, hints of barrel char, some freshly ground espresso beans, a touch of cedar perhaps, and more sweet vanilla spice. But certainly bourbon.
Intensely sweet, and still bourbon-like. There’s just a soupcon of something else that confirms that this actually isn’t bourbon, and is in fact a grain whisky! It’s hard to describe what that something else is though. You’ve got all the classic US whiskey flavours in there, with a big corn oil note, and plenty of butter. Actually, there’s something akin to buttered carrots done with just a pinch of ground cumin – that same kind of oily semi-sweetness and spice. It develops a lot, and offers up notes of date and walnut cake, and turmeric.
Huge and intensely spiced. Something vaguely malty on the finish too (which is odd!). Maybe even a hint of hops. Very sweet, all the way through though.
Astonishing. This is the most bourbon-y whisky we’ve ever tasted, and it was made in Edinburgh! Fabulous…
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Nose: Quite heavy vanilla mixed with bourbon. Palate: Very sweet and lots of vanilla. Like a JD & vanilla coke! Oily but not unduly so. Carries the other flavours well. Finish: Very spicy, stays sweet all the way through. Overall: Never tasted a malt quite like it. For me, it has a smoothness bourbon doesn’t have. Amazing.
