Origin: Speyside (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 47.5%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Bourbon barrel 1st fill
Chillfiltered: No
Added colouring: No
Owner: Morrison Distillers
Average price: € 70.00
Official website: www.carnmorwhisky.co.uk
Today, as is often the case, we take a step back in time and taste a bottle from Càrn Mòr, aka Morrison Distillers, from almost four years ago: a Glenlossie from ex red wine casks. There is no official word on what kind of red wine it is, but a little birdie told us it was French, from the Bordeaux region, and being a notoriously knowledgeable person, we trust him. Just as we have blind faith in Càrn Mòr, who not only doesn’t make mistakes with whisky, but can boast a price/quality ratio second only to that of Wilson & Morgan, with exemplary drinks at largely affordable prices.
Distilled in 2009, this Glenlossie, like the rest of the Strictly Limited range, was bottled 12 years later at 47.5%ABV and limited to 1,603 bottles.
Tasting Notes
The colour is a brilliant amber.
The nose, apart from a hint of seasoned wood, is a riot of berries, with blueberries and blackcurrants up front. The nutmeg spice is perfectly matched with hints of sweet liquorice, rum advocaat and mulled wine. Milk and white chocolate open the door to vanilla: at first it is just a hint, but over time it grows in intensity and occupies most of the scene. There is also a floral note of jasmine, well integrated with the rest of the aromas.
On the palate, more berries in abundance, with blackberries in the forefront, currants and blueberries just behind, and generous blood orange juice. Very ripe strawberries, Mon Cherì chocolate and cherry and cinnamon infusion are accompanied by a reminder of butter biscuits and grapes fresh from the vine, with a generous sprinkling of pepper, which is still present in the medium-long finish, on the arm of nutmeg, while blueberries and dark chocolate leave a very pleasant memory in the mouth.
With this expressive and inviting Glenlossie, the appreciation of Càrn Mòr’s offering remains high. Handling ex-wine casks is never easy, but here, apart from perhaps a slight, but not unpleasant, astringency in the finish, balance reigns supreme, confirming a mastery that can now be relied upon with eyes (and mouth) closed.
Vote: 89/100