Origin: Speyside (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 57.5%ABV
Ageing cask: Ex-Sherry PX finish
Chillfiltered: No
Added coloring: No
Owner: Alistair Walker Whisky Company
Average price: € 100.00
Official website: www.alistairwalkerwhisky.com
Vote: 86/100
Alistair Walker Whisky Company, with its Infrequent Flyers line, is a relatively young entity among independent bottlers, but it still makes quite an impression to step back in time with a proposal, No. 21 in their repertoire, that dates back four years.
In any case, we now have in the glass a whisky distilled in Glen Spey in 2006 and bottled in 2020, after finishing in a former PX puncheon. The 4828 cask yielded 613 bottles that are now no longer available in our country, hence the indicative price that refers to that at the time of release.
Tasting Notes
The colour is very reminiscent of chestnut honey.
And it may be because of this visual suggestion, but on the nose, the first note is of chestnut honey, followed by nuts in spades (walnuts, hazelnuts), sultanas, strawberry gum and maple syrup. In short, more or less all of the predictable aromatic ensemble stemming from the ageing cask. A slight peppery note is accompanied by a balsamic scent that reminds us of eucalyptus, while a touch of freshly cut wood is matched by a rather obvious vanilla memory, which is perhaps what remains in sensory terms of the first maturation. Over time, an impression of vinegar emerges.
In the mouth, the spices are decidedly more intense, with pepper and chilli pepper on the shields. The dehydrated fruit, in great variety (apricots and figs above all) flanks the orange peel and somewhat blends into the taste, very similar to that of the nose, of the former PX cask: chestnut honey, caramel and maple syrup.
The medium to long finish aligns dehydrated fruit, honey and a dusting of pepper.
A master of re-racking, Alistair Walker has accustomed us to strongly marked explosive finishes, sometimes too much so. Here the contribution of the cask can be felt, but it gives the impression of being slightly less driven, if that term renders the idea. Which is not a bad thing at all. The result is a balanced and pleasant whisky, drinkable in spite of its strength. A pity it is not to be found anymore.