First fill bourbon then amontillado, wood works indeed, let's see. Colour: golden. Nose: old vin jaune, amontillado indeed, mustard, tarragon and shallots (right, sauce béarnaise - quite) plus damp cellar, old barrels, marmalade, smoked paprika (I have to say I love smoked paprika)… We're somewhere in Andalusia indeed, having apéritif sheltered under a parasol. Indeed, not exactly in Campbeltown, so much for 'a sense of the place'. But it's very nice. With water: more bone-dry sherry-like wine, with touches of aniseed and mint. Touch of sulphur (or leek soup). Mouth (neat): very well boosted, you just need to enjoy heavy dry sherry (or similarly dry whites from the south of Spain). Walnuts, pepper, mustard, plus a lot of toasted oak, nutmeg, cinnamon... With water: add enough water and you'll come up with a glass of Tio Pepe. Saltiness coming out, seawater… Finish: long, on similar notes. Comments: mixed feelings. I adore dry sherry and I love to be transported to Andalusia by the way of a sip of whisky. On the other hand, there's not much Campbeltownness left. Of course that exists. Oh well, let's open our minds, I find it very good, please pass the olives and the jabugo.
Whisky Notes (84)
Nose: quite solid. There’s a hint of banana breakfast with cereals and honey. Some richer caramel notes and vanilla. Then a series of hazelnuts and walnuts before it shows a little apricot and a delicate coastal hint. A little tobacco, leather and a hint of unlit matches or scorched wood too. It offers a nice complexity for a 12 year old.
Mouth: pretty funky now, not so say a little dirty. There’s a big salty side, alongside heavy ginger, liquorice and herbal drops. Cinnamon and nutmeg come out, as well as walnuts, some umami notes and dried grassy notes. More tobacco. Quite typical of Amontillado, I’d say, but it’s pretty burning with an acrid edge. A drop of water helps to calm down the woody bite though.
Finish: quite long and spicy, with woody notes, iodine and ginger.
This is nicely nutty, evoking the Amontillado. It’s a little too assertive and spiky on the palate though.
BOW (88)
Every year Glen Scotia releases the Seasonal Release which is a ideal gift for the holliday season in general.
This 12 year old unpeated spirit has matured in first fill bourbon after which the “water of life” has had a 12 month finish in Amontillado Sherry Casks. After this marriage, the whisky was bottled at cask strength of 53.3% vol.
The combination of Amontillado and bourbon casks creates a delicious, warming and spicy character, which is the perfect whisky for the changing seasons and to combine with delicious winter dishes.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Maritime notes of the sea with sweet honey and caramel.
Taste: Creamy vanilla and salted caramel. Spicy notes of cinnamon and nutmeg.
Finish: Long and persistent with a nutty aftertaste. Warming cinnamon spices and a slightly dry finish.
