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| Hi, this is one of our (almost) daily tastings. Santé! |
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August 14, 2023 |
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WF's Summer Duets
Today Allt-A-Bhainne
IB vs. IB |
Allt-A-Bhainne is my Macallan. Glendullan, Braes, Deanston or Balmenach too. And Strathmill, Mannochmore, Glen Spey and many others as well. All worthy distilleries, all immune to excessive branding that means nothing and sometimes becomes a bit ridiculous. Products (and true people) before brands, that seems to be the trend of the Future, am I not right? |
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Allt-A-Bhainne 9 yo 2013/2022 (46%, Hart Brothers, Finest Collection) 
We're just recovering from their excellent Secret Islay from the other day, all for less than 40 euros. We're expecting some plain and pure eau-de-vie de barley here… Colour: pale white wine. Nose: indeed, barley, apples, fresh biscuits and pancakes, muesli, cherries, pears, brown sugar, a tiny vegetable-y side too (celeriac, fennel)… This is immensely natural. Mouth: love it, totally. Pears, apples, cherries, plums, barley, cakes, sponge cake, finger biscuits, sweet beer… There are millions of casks of this type housed in Scotland, but that doesn't change the fact that it's simply excellent. Finish: perhaps a little more on pears and on mashes and beers. Admirable softly spicy aftertaste. Comments: I am very happy that this humble little cask of Allt-A-Bhainne has not been sacrificed in any high-volume blend by Pernod or any other famous names. Almost 87.
SGP:551 - 86 points. |
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Allt-A-Bhainne 20 yo 2000/2021 (52.4%, Signatory Vintage, sherry finish, cask #6, 703 bottles)
This baby was finished for eight months in a butt, which would suggest that they have used two or possibly three hogsheads. Signatory are kings of Braes and Allt-A-Bhainne in my book. Colour: deep amber. Nose: a bit closed and slow at first, rather only on pancake sauce and glazed chestnuts. Richer honeys would then come to the front, together with some strawberry jam and certainly a lot of dried figs of all sizes and colours, but indeed, it is not a mover. No time to wait, let's add H2O. With water: a few pencil shavings, some praline, muscovado, rhum agricole instead of armagnac… That's all nice. Mouth (neat): great punchy armagnac-like arrival, with raisins, figs, prunes and softer spices. Now it would not change much then, becoming just a little spicier and earthier. With water: chocolate, tobacco and fig wine. Finish: medium, with hints of salty bouillon and a little brown sauce and raisins. Comments: It's the opposite of the previous one, but the level of quality is exactly the same in my humble opinion.
SGP:561 - 86 points. |
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