WeeDrammers in April
The entire group of WeeDrammers were able to join in for our April tasting, something that hasn’t happened for a while. Numbers 188 and 189 were sampled courtesy of Borje F.
Borje’s first selection, No 188, Tullibardine 15 Year Old – Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky. The distillery describes the dram this way.
“Tullibardine has a long, majestic history, dating back to the 15th century as a location for brewing and distilling. Located in Blackford, the gateway to the Scottish Highlands, it was here in 1488 that a young King James IV of Scotland stopped by on his return from his coronation at Scone Palace to make what was the first public purchase of beer from the local brewery. In 1947, the brewery was converted to a whisky distillery and named Tullibardine, which means ‘lookout hill’ in Gaelic. After a long period of production, Tullibardine lay silent from 1994 10 2003, when it reopened as a traditional Highland working distillery. Tullibardine 15 year old, distilled after the reopening of the distillery, has been matured in first-fill bourbon casks in our traditional warehouses at the foot of the Ochil hills.
Under the watchful eye of our Master Distiller, this whisky has now reached perfection. The Tullibardine 15 year old’s exceptional taste profile reveals delicate aromas of fruit and spices and reflects the outstanding quality and craftsmanship of our whiskies.
The Chaps at Master of Malt don’t disagree. They describe the 15 year old “as one of the most well-aged releases to date. Seeing as it was matured entirely in first-fill bourbon casks, there’s lots of creamy, honeyed influence to be found in this one.
- Nose: Barley sugar and delicate florals, with apple crumble and custard.
- Palate: Lots of honeyed malt, with creamy porridge and berry jam along with fresh sponge cake.
- Finish: Caramelised nuts, spicy oak and mango curd.
Overall Impression
The Tullibardine 15 Year Old is a refined and approachable whisky, showcasing the distillery’s craftsmanship. Its balance of sweet, fruity, and spicy notes makes it an excellent choice for both newcomers and seasoned whisky enthusiasts. it stands as a solid representation of Highland single malts.
ABV: 43%
Available at BCLB $119.99
The second offering for the evening, # 189 on our quest was a ‘new kid on the block, the Isle of Raasay single malt.
“The isle of Raasay, an island that is part of the Inner Hebrides, is rooted in centuries of illicit distilling. It provides the ingredients for the perfect dram. Every drop of spirit is distilled, matured and bottled on the island using water from our well. A product of passion, prowess and provenance. The distillery sees itself as combining tradition with contemporary thinking.
The Isle of Raasay Single Malt Scotch Whisky has garnered positive reviews for its unique character and craftsmanship. It is notable for being the first legal distillery on the island, established in 2017. Its expressions, such as Batch R-01 and R-02 (which we sampled), showcase a blend of peated and unpeated spirits matured in a combination of rye whiskey, Chinkapin oak, and Bordeaux red wine casks.
Tasting Notes
- Nose: The whisky presents a fresh and honeyed aroma with hints of baked apple, vanilla pound cake, and a subtle smokiness. Over time, the smoke integrates into the overall profile, elevating sweeter notes of orchard fruit and custard.
- Palate: On the palate, it offers a light-bodied and elegant experience with a gentle white pepper spice. Flavors of golden raisin, cinnamon toast, and barley sugar contribute to a sweet profile, complemented by a subtle heathery peat note.
- Finish: The finish is medium in length, with lingering notes of peaty sweetness and smoke, accompanied by a hint of plum and sultana.
Despite being relatively young, with expressions like R-02 being no more than four years old, the Isle of Raasay Single Malt demonstrates remarkable maturity and complexity. Its balance of sweetness, subtle smoke, and fruitiness makes it an approachable choice for those new to peated whiskies, while still offering depth for seasoned enthusiasts.
ABV: 43%
Available at BCLB $114.99
Borje provided a spread of Marinated Herring on Rye bites, Corned beef on Rye bites, Smoked Pork Hock bites, Stilton and Welsh Cheddar cheeses, Olive Tapenade, Smoked Oysters, Kolbasa Sausage bites and, of course, dark chocolate. The serving dishes were empty well before the evening came to an end!
Two more wonderful drams, great food and shared among friends. Our next tasting will be at the end of May and will be hosted by Brian S.
