| |
Home
Thousands of tastings,
all the music,
all the rambligs
and all the fun
(hopefully!)
Whiskyfun.com
Guaranteed ad-free
copyright 2002-2024
|
 |
|
| Hi, this is one of our (almost) daily tastings. Santé! |
| |
|
| |
| |
June 14, 2024 |
|
  |
WF's Little Duos, today Allt-A-Bhainne |
We rather love these relatively recent distilleries that were built in the immediate pre-whisky loch era, perhaps a bit asynchronously. They are gradually gaining notoriety at their own pace, partly thanks to independent bottlers. The aged versions are particularly interesting, and we are pleased that Pernod-Ricard/Chivas occasionally offers some official versions. |
Zucchini flowers (Aquapazza) |
|
Allt-A-Bhainne 26 yo 1997/2023 (50.1%, The Whisky Blues, barrel, cask #300142, 172 bottles) 
Colour: pale gold. Nose: I adore this rich tension (yes, that's possible) which feels completely natural, with notes of bread dough, brioche, a hint of cool mint, muesli, After Eights, mashed bananas, lime blossom honey, tinned peaches, vanilla… It's really very clean. With water: more fresh herbs, cut grass, candle wax, green tea, even some rocket/rucola… The honey then helps to balance out this growing greenness. Mouth (neat): excellent, with grapefruit liqueur, triple sec, then more and more pepper and allspice. There's a certain peppery tannicity that tends to dominate after a while, but everything remains in harmony. With water: this time it's the dried fruits that come to complement the spices. Dried banana and coconut, perhaps, the coconut staying within a rather discreet elegance, this is not 'spiced' rum after all. Finish: medium length, fougasse dough, dried fruits, vanilla, and a tea-like note from the wood. Comments: a very clean malt, without any major roughness aside from a somewhat noticeable woodiness, but strictly without any flaws. Also very pleased they didn't dare to flavour it with wine.
SGP:551 - 87 points. |
|
Allt-A-Bhainne 32 yo 1991/2024 'Lost in Time' (54.9%, OB for The Whisky Exchange, refill hogshead, cask #13091, 144 bottles) 
Colour: gold. Nose: the style is generally similar, but here we find more herbal infusions, mint, thyme, rosemary, then golden delicious apples, kiwi, gooseberries, rhubarb… This creates a delightful freshness reminiscent of an 'orchard in the rain'. With water: an abundance of stewed fruits, peaches, pears, apricots, and apple tart… It becomes rounder, softer, and very pleasant. Mouth (neat): excellent, rich, with touches of fruity varnish (pineapple, pear) and tinned fruits. Perhaps also the older version of a fresh malt bursting with fruity sweets, Haribo crocodiles and babies, and all those sorts of things. Cranberry juice. With water: green banana but also more honeyed beer. Acacia flower and zucchini flower fritters. Finish: medium length, a bit more herbaceous and, again, with a tea note. Magnificent citrus in the aftertaste, especially tangerines with a hint of pepper. Comments: the beauty of a malt with a very balanced style but not a boring one at all, with a lovely texture, a very nice age and without any exaggerated cask impact. An old malt for a Sunday afternoon, indeed.
SGP:651 - 88 points. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
