Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Chillfiltered: No
Added colouring: No
Owner: J & A Mitchell & Co Ltd.
Official website: www.cadenhead.scot
Today’s double review (yes, we’ve taken a liking to it) allows us to return to one of our favourite independent bottlers: Cadenhead’s. The quality of its proposition has already been abundantly verified on the blog (assuming they needed our faint opinion) and needs no further proof. In fact, we are so certain that these will be two very good drams that we don’t linger any longer and pour the whisky into the glass.
Glentauchers 11yo (2011 – 2022)
Origin: Speyside (Scotland)
Strength: 54.6%
Ageing cask: Ex-PX finish
Average price: € 70.00
Vote: 88/100
A 2011 distillate from Glentauchers, which in independent bottlings knows how to give genuine gems (Chorlton docet), aged from October 2020 in a single ex-PX cask and bottled in the autumn of 2022 at 54.6% ABV in 294 bottles already difficult to find.
Tasting notes
The colour closely resembles mahogany.
On the nose, the very first impression is of balsamic vinegar but it’s rather faint, while much more important and definitive are the hints of sultanas, dried figs, brown sugar and milk chocolate. Sinks of polished dark wood and jasmine, with a sprinkling of cloves.
After a moderately peppery opening, notes of dried figs, peach in syrup and dark chocolate come together to create an extremely enjoyable aromatic symphony, to which an unmistakable berry jam contributes, with a vague, and surprising, summer memory of watermelon.
The medium persistent finish is spicy with sweet touches of berry jam.
Enhanced by a perfect strength, this is a high-profile whisky in which the influence of the former PX cask is so obvious that you could (almost) imagine it.
Reviews of Glentauchers whisky
Bunnahabhain 7yo (2014 – 2022)
Origin: Islay (Scotland)
Strength: 58.7%
Ageing cask: Ex-Sherry butt
Average price: € 60.00
Vote: 86/100
Distilled in 2014, a Staoisha (the peated whisky of Bunnahabhain) bottled in the summer of 2022 at 58.7% ABV in 600 bottles, after 7 years in a former sherry butt.
Tasting notes
The colour is a warm gold.
On the nose, the characteristic peated note is tinged with vague sweet nuances, with distant floral reminiscences. Hints of grilled fat, toasted bacon, charcoal and, after a few minutes, extra dark chocolate.
On the palate, on the shields black pepper and charcoal with a touch of charred bread. Considering the not-quite-quite alcohol content, the whisky is very smooth in the mouth. Grilled white fruits, smoked ham and almonds are distinctly noticeable.
The medium-long finish is marked by pepper and a distinct impression of a full ashtray.
When we find a Bunna that does not live up to the distillery’s reputation and track record, it will probably snowball in August. This is also a whisky of great quality, capable of winning over peat devotees but not only with its nuances.