The Lakes Distillery has released its fourth Whiskymaker's Reserve, and once again it's an excellent English single malt whisky built with a fabulous selection of casks. This time, the whisky was aged in a combination casks that previously held Oloroso, Pedro Ximénez, and red wine, including Spanish, French and American oak. Bottled up at 52% ABV, this is deliciously rich and satisfying stuff.
Damson, honeyed barley with a soft nuttiness to it, ripe plum, fig, and cinnamon.
Chewy caramel and toffee, dotted with chocolate and dried fruit. A touch of crystallised ginger gives it a festive warmth.
A long finish, with creamy vanilla and jammy sultanas.
I bought a bottle of this after hearing so many good things about it. There is no doubt it is full of flavour, viscous and thick and with a wonderful nose but, for me, it's still very harsh and no water can soften the burn. Give it a few years and The Lakes will undoubtedly be making superb, smooth whiskies, just not yet.
Excellent, excellent whisky from a fabulous distillery. So smooth with a whopping taste!
The Lakes Distillery are making some exceptional whiskies now,
So smooth . Absolutely the best .
