Origin: England
Type: English Single Malt Whisky
Strength: 46%ABV
Aging casks: American Virgin Oak
Chillfiltered: No
Additional Coloring: No
Owner: The English Whisky Co.
Average price: € 60.00
Official website: www.englishwhisky.co.uk
Vote: 85/100
So, the details about the distillery have already been given by the Beloved Founder in the review of Smokey, so we can avoid introductory pops and devote ourselves directly to the analysis of the specimen in question.
Dedicated to England’s patron saint, St George, this whisky was released in April 2019 in a limited first edition of just 2,689 bottles.
Made from 2013 malt, this English has therefore rested for six years in new American white oak casks. With virgin casks, the fear is always that the spirit will taste too much of wood and not enough of slow maturation. Will this also be true of this Englishman?
Tasting notes
To the eye, English Virgin is a beautiful bright golden yellow with amber reflections: a ‘miracle’ of the absence of damn dyes.
The first impact on the nose could confirm the suspicions: lots of vanilla and alcohol. With due aeration and a little patience, however, toasted notes of dried fruit, candied ginger, dates and cumin open up.
The same problem arises on the palate: the first sip appears simple and pleasing, but a more careful and meditated tasting brings back hints of almond cream, nutmeg, peach in alcohol, coffee toffee, and a titillating Cajenna pepper finish that tickles the tip of the tongue and palate for a long time. Not bad at all! Of course it won’t fill your mouth and nostrils like an old Scotch (better again if peated!), but we are in unexplored territory that is particularly good.
In short, with this new release The English presents itself as an even more interesting distillery than I personally thought, and definitely one to keep an eye on for the future, given that from now on they will be able to increase their ageing and potentially produce some really important bottlings. I recommend it, then you do it yourself.
Reviews of The English whisky in the blog:
Blackadder The English 5yo
The English Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Cask Matured
The English Fellowship Batch 06
The English Original
The English Smokey
Other perspectives:
Scotch and Malt Whisky