
November 18, 2016

More John Does

Let’s have even more blended malts or undisclosed Glenf… I mean, Speysiders today. And a little homework for you, perhaps; what do you think is best, knowing about the origins of one whisky, or knowing about its age? Think about it… In the mean time, let’s have a few…

The Hive ‘Batch Strength’ (54.5%, Wemyss Malts, blended malt, Batch No. 1, 6000 bottles, 2016)

There are also a new Spice King and a new Peat Chimney, but we’ll have those on another day. There’s also some The Hive at 40% vol., but those have/had an age statement, 8 or 12. More homework to do… Colour: deep gold. Nose: rather dry and malty, grassy, and full of fruit peelings, green apples, then fresh almonds and sour dough. I have to say I do not find many ‘hive-y’ elements. So far. With water: wet concrete, crushed barley, bitter apples. Mouth (neat): feels young, a little harsh, with acidic apples and a yeasty side. Quite brutal and unpolished. Where’s the expected honey? With water: not many changes. Green plums, perhaps? It’s still quite grassy and raw. Finish: medium, on more green plums and grass. Comments: a raw malt, perhaps for your hipflask. Not a huge fan of this wee bottling by these excellent people who keep issuing so many great single malts. SGP:361 - 78 points.

Speyside 21 yo 1993/2015 (48%, Langside, Distiller’s Art, sherry butt)

This one’s a single malt. Perhaps from Speyside Distillery? Colour: deep gold. Nose: cakes and stewed fruits, then cereals and marzipan. It’s a dry kind of sherry, imparting wee notes of earth and walnuts. Apple pie. Nice. Mouth: rather oranges this time, both bitter and regular ones, with a little ginger, a little pepper, and a little cinnamon and nutmeg, presumably from the cask. Also a touch of orange blossom honey, which is always nice. They should have used this cask at Wemyss’ ;-). Finish: medium, well constructed, malty and orangey. Same notes of orange blossom honey in the aftertaste, plus a little cracked pepper. Comments: this one’s very fine, a nice sipper, or for a better hipflask. SGP:451 - 85 points.

Speyside Region 20 yo 1994/2015 (53.2%, Whisky-Fässle, sherry butt)

Colour: deep gold. Nose: same territories as those of the Langside, only with more punch, which translates into wee varnishy notes and perhaps touches of struck matches. Cornflakes, toasted bread, rubbed orange skin, leather. With water: more leather and more oranges, with a thin slice of black truffle. Mouth (neat): a funny orange/game start. Canard à l’orange? Ducks indeed… And probably very ripe guavas. Not the usual G*******s. With water: becomes more ‘normal’, but still very orange-y. Marmalade-filled biscuits and gingerbread. Touches of lime blossom honey, with these hints of menthol. Finish: medium, on more or less the same notes. Comments: really good – and it’s nice that it’s a little unusual. Habits kill, they say. SGP:551 - 86 points.

Check the index of all undisclosed malts I've tasted so far