A sample pack turned up in the post, in the middle of June, with an invitation to join a virtual blind tasting on the 26th. OB selfishly made that impossible by inviting tOMoH to sample under-aged whiskies on that same day. On the bright side, this virtual tasting was recorded. Today (and tomorrow, as it turns out), we will replay it.
Dram #1
Nose: we have brandy and paint thinner, dried onion skins and potato peels. A couple of minutes in, it thankfully opens up a bit and reveals custard and Bourbon-infused lemon marmalade. It smells rather fiercely acidic, all things considered. Further back is a note of cherry-liqueur praline that is pleasant indeed. Wafer biscuits and cake, baked to a point it has turned crusty. Mouth: pepper shortbread, crushed pink peppercorns, crushed (not ground) cloves, white cardamom pods immersed in Bourbon cream, Bourbon-cream biscuits. It is crisp, with a definite bite, and it ignites the palate like lime Tabasco sauce. Finish: assertive, acidic, it has a lingering Bourbon sweetness, with banoffee pie, yet also crushed cardamom pods and lemon pulp. Mind you, this also has a non-negligible kick! Yup, it is sweet, acidic and spicy at the same time. Comment: pretty good. It turns out we had it at the distillery, a few years ago. The Arran Malt 10yo 2007/2017 James MacTaggart (54.2%, OB Master of Distilling, First Fill Bourbon Barrels, 12000b) 7/10
Dram #2
Nose: heady, syrupy wine -- Italian wine, in my opinion. It is fruity, perhaps even sparkly (Fragolino?), but winey for sure. Suddenly, it turns into an omelette that has stuck to the pan. or overly-fried scrambled eggs. It retains a mildly-musty-softly-acidic note of red wine nonetheless. Over time, the nose gains red onions, yet they are well behaved. There is even something earthier, not sure what it is. Mushroom stock, maybe? Re-hydrated shiitake water? Mouth: the attack is mellower, gentler than the first dram's. In fact, it is velvety and pillow-like. Here, the red wine morphs into soaked raisins. The palate sees some tannins, currants, grape skins, fermenting, but not yet vinegary. Each sip feels more acidic than the last. Repeated sipping brings out an earthy side on the palate too -- think leather boots after a walk in a ploughed field. Finish: dark fruits, here, with black grapes, blackcurrants, blackberries and heady wine make for a classy sangria. Once again, the finish has an unexpected kick, next to the undeniable fruitiness. Cranberry jam, lingonberry compote, and, maybe, some rancio. Lastly, piping-hot sticky toffee pudding, melting in the mouth and coating the oesophagus. Comment: Amarone cask? Wrong. The Arran Malt 12to 2006/2019 Licence To Distil (51.8%, OB Master of Distilling, Palo Cortado Sherry Casks, 12000b) 7/10
Dram #3
Nose: what the deuce is this? Fresh ink in the inkwell, then plastic pouches and plastic food tubs. You know the ones, but hush-hush! No brand advertising. Once the plastic dissipates, it makes way for the rubber seal of those food tubs. I remember some rums at SMWS that smelled like this! Industrial glue, rubbery joints inside jam-jar lids... Behind all that is a spoonful of blackcurrant jelly and a fistful of liquorice allsorts. Mouth: well, the palate has little to do with the nose, funnily enough. It is sweet on the tongue, with blackcurrant jelly. Retro-nasal olfaction brings back the liquorice, bitter and a half, then toothpaste and peppermint. None of the plastic seems to have made it thus far, which is good news. I do not really go around licking plastic for a laugh, you see. Fruit grows, over time, as does peppermint. Finish: unexpected again, the finish is the softest of the first three drams. It has pillow-like berries (blackberries, blackcurrants), a drop of peppermint, and it is generally refreshing, not unlike a good, fruit-flavoured mouthwash. Plastic comes back, after a few sips, though it is very much in the background, merely adding a gentle bitterness. Comment: what could this be? Rum cask? Arran 13yo b.2020 (54.4%, OB Small Batch Lochranza Distillery Exclusive, 8y in Bourbon Casks + 5y Rum Plantation Casks Finish) 7/10
I need a break. Let us resume tomorrow.
(Thanks for the samples, MR)
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