July 2024: A boutique-y pair & a Linkwood
- Mr Dram Man
- Jul 1, 2024
- 3 min read
Welcome to another month of delicious drams, and it will be tough to follow after lasts months amazing set but I will give it a go anyway.
A clear and surprising winner here, the Indiana 3yr old takes the top spot from Master of Malt. You can still get bottles available from them of this and it is such a good price if you enjoyed it. Now into this months...
Canadian Corn 8yr old – PX & Ex Peated
So if you were with us a few months back we tried the core range bottling of this Canadian Corn 8yr old and it was a fan favourite. Here is a snippet of what I said
“This is the epitome of a sherry bomb, on the nose you can smell the sherried wood oozing through this amber liquid full of fruit pastries and honey nectar. The moment it hits your tongue you get Canadian maple syrup, sherried oak, sweet ginger and maraschino cherries. Finishing with brown sugar and baked fruits.”
And I gave at a rating of 85/100, so lets see how this limited edition, the same Canadian corn liquid but finished in PX sherry casks and Ex-peated whisky casks and married together to create this dark sweet nectar and producing.
On the nose, I detect robust summer fruits, with stewed strawberries and cherries taking the forefront, complemented by the rich molasses influence from the PX casks. However, the peat remains elusive, perhaps overshadowed by the dominant sweetness at this stage. On the palate, those summer fruits persist, reminiscent of large Haribo strawberries and maraschino cherries. The sweetness is prominent, and eventually, the peat emerges on the finish, blending with the sweetness to create a menthol-like flavor, akin to PX whisky-infused Airwaves chewing gum. Comparing this to the core bottling side by side, the difference is notable. While I enjoy both, the peatiness that surfaces at the end gives the limited edition a slight edge over the core range bottling. I’m thrilled that this whisky didn't disappoint. What are your thoughts on this expression? 87/100
Mortlach 10yr old – Ex Rum cask
I'm excited to share another limited edition from this range: a 10-year-old Mortlach finished in ex-rum casks, with only 445 bottles produced. Mortlach is renowned for its precise distillation process, where the new make spirit is distilled exactly 2.81 times, a method they believe hits the sweet spot for a smooth and delicious distillate. This whisky spent 10 years in a hogshead before being finished in an ex-rum cask. On the nose, I detect tropical fruits such as pineapple and citrus, along with a subtle hint of coconut milk. It evokes a summery feeling, like walking through a field of ripened barley. I eagerly take my first sip, and all those aromatic notes come alive on the palate. Sweet citrus flavours reminiscent of flat Lilt greet the tongue, accompanied by a waxy texture that clings to the roof of the mouth and a finish that evokes the essence of harvest time. This dram is incredibly pleasant, making it a perfect choice for a warm summer evening. To my surprise, I prefer this to the Canadian Corn, which I didn’t expect to say – but it truly is delightful. 89/100
Signatory Vintage: Linkwood – Oloroso finish
Here we have a bottle of Linkwood from Signatory Vintage – made up of 2 casks that were finished in first fill oloroso sherry casks before being bottled at 46%abv. On the nose, this whisky presents a delightful bouquet of sweet poached plums and juicy sultanas, accompanied by the rich aroma of runny toffee and freshly baked apple cake, all underscored by a hint of mint chocolate. As you take a sip, the palate reveals an intricate tapestry of flavours: cinnamon snaps with floral berries, biscuity malt, and creamy milk chocolate, while notes of caramel and candied orange peel add a layer of indulgent sweetness. The finish is a balance of bitter marmalade and sweet baking spices, rounded out by toffee and coffee notes with toasted oak, and a subtle touch of peppery heat, leaving a lasting impression that invites another taste. This is a very pudding like whisky, full of flavours highly enjoyable. 87/100
Which was your favourite?
Canadian Corn 8yr PX & Ex-Peated
Mortlach 10yr Ex Rum
Signatory Vintage: Linkwood Oloroso finish
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