The Wee Drammers 2021 kicked off the new year still relying on Zoom as our venue of choice. We all toasted to better things to come and a hope that soon, we will be able to gather face-2-face as we sample more of Scotland’s finest. However, if it has to be Zoom, then so be it; we are still able to gather and celebrate friendship with a couple of drams.
For January, Borje F. hosted, presenting two more excellent whiskies both, as it turns out, from Scotiland’s Highlands/Speyside region.
First up was Glenrothes – Whisky Makers Cut – a “ ’pretty straight forward’ Speyside malt”. With a nose offering rich fruit-plum and sultanas, milk chocolate and new leather and a palate that is silky and luxurious with sherry, vanilla, blackcurrants and treacle, Glenrothes was sure to please. A mildly oak finish left all very impressed and in agreement with the 90 point rating from Whisky Advocate, 2019. At $92.99 a bottle (+tax), great value but hard to find.
Second up for this session, was the anCnoc Peatheart Batch, a peated version of the anCnoc 12, sampled earlier by the group. It’s hard to argue with the description of this whisky, offered on their website – Colour: Light gold; Nose: Understated peat smoke and barbecue balanced by ripe pineapples, pears and a dark, rich tone of baked toffee apples. Subtle vanilla and sparks of fresh lemon rind lend lightness and elegance to the composition. Taste: structured and full, with rich smoke in balance with juicy gummy bears and the light, fizzy sweetness of spun sugar. Undertones of a hay barn and fudge give it a delicious weight. The finish long and growing, distinctly spicy and sweet with a warming, smoky finale. This malt comes at $109.99 plus tax at the BCLB
Borje wisely suggested some dark chocolate, candied salmon, smoked oysters, some olive tapenade, a couple of sea salt chips, a few almonds and a piece of smoked Gorgonzola as accompaniment. A shot of salt with these malts a proved excellent choice.
Thanks to Borje for putting the evening together and to Tony for setting up the Zoom session. We are all looking forward to our next session to be hosted by Tony.
