So, the scheduled gathering of the Wee Drammers in February had to be postponed since few of the group drive Alberta-inspired AWLs capable of moving easily through 25 or more centimetres of snow. Instead, the group gathered on March 7 at Borje’s to sample #’s 141 and 142 on our quest toward a complete tour and tasting of Scotland’s finest. With no snow, wind, or rain and a beautiful Worm moon in the eastern sky, 7 members of the group joined Borje. Those who were travelling missed out (we thank them for donating their share to the 7 in attendance).
Borje’s first presentation was the Aberlour 16 year old Double Cask Matured, yet another
wonderful example of what comes out of Speyside. Borje describes his choice this way. “Being one of my fav distilleries! We have already tried the Aberlour 12, as well as the cask strength Aberlour A’Bunadh (there was debate as to whether the 16 year old was also on the agenda early on in the group’s tastings). I was really happy to find this 16-year old at the BCLB Premium Spirit release last Nov.”.
The Aberlour 16 is double matured in both ex-bourbon and sherry casks. The ABV is 40 %. The BCLS cost was $115 plus tax. It is currently not available at BCLS but you can buy from England at £110 plus shipping. Borje says, “In my opinion BCLS underpriced this one!” We can only thank them!
Tasting Notes
- Colour – warm golden amber
- Nose – creamy with sweet raisin aromas and spicy nuttiness
- Palate – a smooth blend of floral and spicy flavours, paired with sweet plum fruitiness and gentle oakiness.
- Finish is gloriously long, with warm honey spiceness.
The Whisky Exchange describes this dram in glowing terms! “A fruity and spicy release from Aberlour, this 16 year old has been matured in a combination of sherry butts and first-fill bourbon casks. Jim Murray scored it 94.5/100 in his 2015 Whisky Bible, describing it as ‘a malt of unbridled magnificence’.” No arguments from our group!
Secondly, the group sampled, Glenglassaugh Torfa, released in 2014 from the Glenglassaugh distillery. Which “sits on a hillside, on the Moray Firth coast overlooking the North Sea. James Moir and two of his nephews established the distillery in 1875. He chose the site due to its proximity to a clean water supply, the Glassaugh Springs and easy access to the nearby barley fields. It changed hands a few times but continued to produce whisky.
During the economic downturn of 1986, this small remote distillery stopped production. It was mothballed and all but forgotten. In 2008, the Dutch-based Scaent Group acquired the distillery for £5 million and reopened it. In 2013 Billy Walker and the BenRiach Whisky Company purchased it. ”
Glenglassaugh Torfa was released in 2014 and the name refers to the Old Norse word for turf or peat. It has been matured in ex-bourbon barrels and peated to 20 ppm.
Tasting Notes
- Colour – a gleaming yellow gold.
- Nose – a vivid, sweet, sooty campfire smoke and sea air infused zest of lime, apricot and ripe soft fruits, all gently warmed by the hint of ginger and cracked black pepper.
- Palate– An eloquent, sweet coastal peat smoke engulfs candied peel over melon, pineapple and roasted red apples. Oat biscuits, hints of heather honey and a gentle cigar box spice all combine to give a nice balance to the expressive smoky character.
- Finish is a heady, yet elegant harmony of distinct coastal peat and striking fruity flavours.
The ABV is a full 50%. The price at Lucky Liquors was around $115.
As is the norm, appies were delicious and added greatly to the tasting.
Egg & Anchovy mix, Smoked Mussels, Kippers, Mediterranean Lamb Sausages and Chorizo Sausages, Manchego and Medium Gouda Cheeses , Olive tapenade, candied smoked salmon, a mix of breads and crackers and dried Apricots and Roasted Almonds were all on the platter. And, we can’t forget the essential dark chocolate!
Thanks to Borje for a wonderful evening. Next up, the group will gather at Dick’s on March 28 (Yeh! two tastings this month).
