Origin: Highlands (Scotland)
Type: Single Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Gradation: 48.5%ABV
Ageing cask: Ex-Bourbon Hogshead
Chillfiltered: No
Additional Coloring: No
Owner: Valinch & Mallet Ltd.
Average price: € 190.00
Official website: www.valinchandmallet.com
Vote: 89/100
I return to the refined collection The Spirit of Art Limited Edition, with a bottle that celebrates a special milestone for the duo Ermoli & Romano.
In fact, it’s the hundredth bottling for this brand, which in a few years (the first release dates back to the end of 2015) has been able to establish itself as one of the most interesting realities in the industry among independents.
And a hundred bottlings in five years are not a few…
And what better way to celebrate the anniversary than with a malt of important age, coming from a “waxy distillery” (as the label says) of the Highlands, which, distilled in 1996, has aged in a hogshead ex-Bourbon (with a short previous passage in PX) to produce, in 2020, 353 bottles, as always cask strength and without cold filtration.
Unlike the other bottles in the collection, there is a greeting from the producers on the back:
“We picked this exquisite cask to celebrate our 100th whisky bottling anniversary, exactly five years after our first release, back in November 2015.
Although secret, this iconic distillery has a special place in our hearts; its waxy and floral notes reminded us of the first whisky we ever shared together at the beginning of this journey.
We dedicate this small achievement to you.
Thank you for your support and enthusiasm, we can’t wait to share the next 100 whiskies with you!
Fabio&Davide“
Slàinte to you.
Tasting notes
Full gold in the glass.
As expected, the nose is presented with a soft and sinuous floral charge, with lime and hawthorn (and a hint of lavender), collected on a mixture of yellow fruit (peach, banana, red apple), lemon cream, honey, almonds and, inevitably, wax. In length, emerge hints of licorice. Silky and decisive.
At the entrance, it’s almost liquorous, so dense, with a lively note of white pepper sprayed on a hive sprinkled with flowers along with grapefruit, sugar paste, vanilla, apple, pineapple, a breath of anise, almonds. On the length, comes an impression of smoke, very far away, little more than a caress. Rich and iridescent.
Long and dry finish, dancing between notes of citrus fruits, dried fruits, cotton candy, honey, anise and again, an ethereus smoke.
It certainly does not reserve surprises in the glass, but it offers solid confirmations, with not insignificant touches of personality and rigor that accompany an elegant and lively drink, with an austerity that is far from encumbered by the years.