Burns Malts by The Whisky Barrel, it feels like robbing them
in Tasting , Bunnahabhain , Springbank , Dailuaine , Caperdonich , Longmorn , Braes of GlenlivetWhat an incredible way of starting my holidays. I was at home sorting and cleaning stuff when the DHL guy appeared with a box bigger than usual for a sample. My Wife looked me suspiciously and I had to swear that this time it was true; I haven’t ordered anything.
[Note to self: it worked! Next time try with full size bottles]
I checked the parcel and it has a reference; BMALTS. Ummm…
I was getting excited because I had read a week before a nice press release about the six new whiskies bottled by The Whisky Barrel for their Burns Malt range and I was really wondering how good they were.
I tasted before a previous release of Littlemill and Bunnahabhain and I really enjoyed them.
So I usually place samples I get on a box and taste them as I please but this time I just did a from parcel to table session.
The six new whiskies belong to a range of single malts bottled by The Whisky Barrel to commemorate Robert Burns, Scotland’s favorite son and poet.
Oh, I can’t wait! Let’s taste the whiskies.
Springbank 14 years old Burns Malt
First dram of the night is this 14 years old Campbeltown whisky. It is a curious situation but it is the youngest whisky and it is the most expensive one.
“Quite powerful and nice Springbank that it is more on the spicy side of the life.”
This dram has a fino-like color.
Nose (89): more than average. honey, citrus, wood, spices, cinnamon, smoke.
Palate (89): powerful, oily. honey, citrus, spices, vanilla, pepper, liquorice.
Finish (90): longer than average. honey, peat, spices.
So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Springbank 14 Year Old Burns Malt with 89 points over 100.Caperdonich 17 years old Burns Malt
Next dram is a Caperdonich 17 years old from this now lost Speyside distillery.
“Very tasty Caperdonich with a nice profile of vanilla and toffee”
This dram has a fino-like color.
Nose (89): more than average. toffee, citrus, vanilla, wood. Very well rounded whisky.
Palate (89): powerful, oily. honey, citrus, floral, spices, vanilla, pepper, salt.
Finish (89): longer than average. honey, spices, vanilla.
So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Caperdonich 17 Year Old Burns Malt with 89 points over 100.Dailuaine 20 years old Burns Malt
Another Speysider, this third dram is a Dailuaine.
“Like being in the middle of a marvelous fruits and spices market. A real bang for the buck treasure”
This dram has a fino-like color.
Nose (90): more than average. candies, floral, spices, berries, cinnamon, wood. Smells old and venerable.
Palate (89): dry, powerful, oily. honey, floral, citrus, spices, wood, tropical, fruits. A bit dry but fantastically aged, I can't believe it is just 20 years old.
Finish (90): longer than average. citrus, spices, tropical fruits.
So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Dailuaine 20 Year Old Burns Malt with 90 points over 100.Longmorn 20 years old Burns Malt
“Very Scotch! The nose is really awesome and the palate plays with spices, wood and smoke. Thumbs up!”
This dram has a amber-like color.
Nose (91): more than average. honey, fruits, spices, oranges, cinnamon, wood.
Palate (90): powerful, oily. honey, citrus, wood, spices, pepper, toasted wood, smoke.
Finish (88): longer than average. honey, citrus, smoke, spices.
So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Longmorn 20 Year Old Burns Malt with 90 points over 100.Braeval Braes of Glenlivet 23 years old Burns Malt
When they decided to use just one name I will be able to have it indexed correctly, but I keep getting both Braeval and Braes of Glenlivet from time to time.
“I really love the way this Braeval whisky smells. Lots of white flowers on this dram”
This dram has a gold-like color.
Nose (92): more than average. honey, floral, lavender, jasmine, citrus. Like a Spring garden ( or like FWP depends who you ask ).
Palate (90): powerful, oily. honey, citrus, vanilla, spices, pears.
Finish (90): longer than average. honey, wood, citrus.
So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Braeval (Braes of Glenlivet) 23 Year Old Burns Malt with 91 points over 100.Bunnahabhain 23 years old Burns Malt
“Bottled awesomeness. Definitively I am going to get one of this for myself. Yummy!”
This dram has a white wine-like color.
Nose (92): more than average. honey, vanilla, smoke, spices, barley. Fantastic Bunnahabhain nose... much like the one of their epic 25 years old whisky.
Palate (92): powerful, oily. honey, peat, vanilla, citrus, spices, smoke. A-we-so-me!
Finish (92): longer than average. peat, honey, wood.
So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Bunnahabhain 23 Year Old Burns Malt with 92 points over 100.Miguel says…
Horay! Really these single malts from The Whisky Barrel don’t disappoint. All of them are excellent but for me both Bunnahabhain and Braeval stands over the rest. What!!! I have just seen the price! Barely £50 for a 23 years old Bunnahabhain…
Sorry! I am in a hurry have to go!
-Yep, two of each please. My address is…
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