Diageo’s 2016 Special Releases are being debuted this evening (September 21). Here are my rambling tasting notes with comments from master blender Maureen Robinson interspersed with an occasional discussion about cake/dessert comparisons.
AUCHROISK 25 Year Old
Distilled 1990 ABV 51.2%
Region: Speyside
Max. 3,954 bottles available worldwide
RRP £280
Tasting note: Citrus, fresh, notes of clean linen (This used to be a J&B feeder distillery). There is creaminess. Mandarins. Maureen got blackcurrant notes. Spangles? (a discussion about various sweets/confectionary follows..). Soft, subtle, dry finish.
GLENKINCHIE 24 year old
Distilled 1991 ABV 57.2%
Region: Lowland
Comment: oldest bottle ever released in Special Releases from this distillery
Max. 5,928 bottles available worldwide
RRP £300
Tasting note: Alcohol! Richer, stewed fruit, orange peel. Peppery, candied fruit. Quite mouth puckering. A nuttiness, appely on the finish.
CAMBUS 40 year old
Distilled 1975 ABV 52.7%
Region: Central Lowland
Comment: oldest release in the range and only the third ever single grain release from the series
Max. 1,812 bottles available worldwide
RRP £750
Tasting note: (Grain distillery, closed in 1975. Maize distillate) Pronounced American oak/bourbon notes. Tropical fruits, candied. Liquorices/anise notes. Maureen gets blackcurrant again.
CRAGGANMORE
ABV 55.7%
Region: Speyside
Comment: Special vatting
Max. 4,932 bottles available worldwide
RRP £400
Tasting note: (Refill American casks) Spritzy, rosehips, and strawberry? Slight spicy note. Smooth, elegant.
MANNOCHMORE 25 Year Old
Distilled 1990 ABV 53.4%
Region: Speyside
Comment: aged in rejuvenated casks
Max. 3,954 bottles available worldwide
RRP £250
Tasting note: There’s a discussion about which dessert this reminds tasters of. Banana and custard seems to be a collective choice. There’s a creamy texture. Hazelnuts.
LINKWOOD 37 Year Old
Distilled 1978 ABV 50.3%
Region: Speyside
Comment: a single malt from the original distillers
Max. 6,114 bottles available worldwide
RRP £600
Tasting note: Fresh linen, some smoke in the background. Sweet, vanilla, waxy, leathery. Fruit notes, coming through. Big, complex. Linkwood gets a BIG tick from me.
CAOL ILA 15 Year Old
Distilled 2000 ABV 61.5%
Region: Islay
Limited quantities available worldwide
RRP £90
Tasting note: Unpeated. Sweet, toffee. Another discussion about cakes and dessert notes. The consensus is: Lemon drizzle cake.
BRORA 38 Year Old
Distilled 1977 ABV 48.6%
Region: Coastal Highland
Comment: oldest bottle ever released in Special Releases from this distillery.
Max. 2,984 bottles available worldwide
RRP £1,450
Tasting note: Smoky, farmyard, leathery, chewy. Nut brittle, someone said.
LAGAVULIN 12 Year Old
ABV 57.7%
Region: Islay
Limited quantities available worldwide
RRP £80
Tasting note: dusty nose. Light, notes of plasters, Germolene.
PORT ELLEN 37 Year Old
Distilled 1978 ABV 55.2%
Region: Islay
Max. 2,940 bottles available worldwide
RRP £2,500
Tasting note: Smoky, lemon/lime on the nose. Surprisingly clean and fresh, considering its age. Pleasant, long, lingering citrus finish. Very elegant.
