Christmas, the Gregorian New Year, and then Chinese New Year, all back to back, and without the shackles of Covid restrictions; we were all out celebrating with a vengeance, and we had our fill! We all needed that. However, with the festivities wrapped up, it is now time to get back to business. Objectives to achieve, opportunities to answer, dreams to realise; the time has come to roll up the sleeves and get the brain and brawn a-humming.
For that jump start, I’ve picked whiskies that are unusual, maybe quirky, maybe experimental, but all good fuel for creativity.
Use the coupon code “FEBOBSESS” upon checkout to get 10% off the whiskies listed below. Offer only valid for online purchases.
Teeling Ltd Ed Stiggins’ Fancy Pineapple Rum Cask, 49.2% abv
This Teeling whiskey is a collaboration with Plantation Rum, using casks that have held Plantation’s Stiggins’ Pineapple Rum. Initially separately matured in bourbon barrels for a period of 6 years, before being carried in pineapple rum barrels for 15 months. Absolutely experimental and yet weirdly delectable.
Two of the new Carn Mor Strictly Limited Editions have also tickled my curiosity…
Càrn Mòr Strictly Limited Mortlach 2008, 14 Year Old, Moscatel Cask Finish, 47.5% abv
Classically, Mortlachs are usually meaty and oily. I wouldn’t have imagined so, but the moscatel finish on this Mortlach is magic. This whisky has flawlessly taken on the classic aromatic honeysuckle and orange blossom notes from the moscatel cask to create a flavour profile that is rather un-Mortlach, albeit absolutely lip-smacking. The weight of the Mortlach provides the perfect canvas for the moscatel notes.
Càrn Mòr Strictly Limited Glen Grant 2008, 13 Year Old, Rum Finish, 47.5% abv
I like Glen Grant whiskies. The tall skinny stills from this very pretty Speyside distillery makes such an elegant, sashaying whisky. The rum cask finish, combined with the delicate, malty and fruity nature of Glen Grant, gives this whisky an uncharacteristic vogueish burnt sugar edge. Who doesn’t need an edge?
Duncan Taylor Octave Sherry, Culdrain 2011 11 Year Old, 53.8% abv
Culdrain is the name Duncan Taylor gave to this unpeated Ardmore, which has been finished in an octave sherry casked and bottled at cask strength. Sweet, icing sugar, white pepper, chocolate orange, salted caramel, dark chocolate…..and wait for it….oh… and there it is… this flash of salted mild cheese, maybe like an unaged Edam, Gouda or Fontina. Kinky!
