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5 perfect whisky bottles to drink this spring
5 perfect whisky bottles to drink this spring
- April 15, 2021
With springtime upon us, the weather turning warmer, days becoming longer, leaves beginning to return to the trees and beautiful spring flowers blooming, whisky consultants Dennis and Dion share with us their top 5 picks for enjoying at this perfect time of the year. These drams are the perfect accompaniment for enjoying the sunshine or for later in the evening infront of a fire on a colder day.
Glen Moray Port Cask Finish (RRP £27)
Some whisky lends itself perfectly for pairing, take this Glen Moray Port Cask Finish for example. Maybe not the most interesting bottle you’ll ever come across, but this one is a great partner to have during a spring barbecue, or to pair with a nice spicy cigar due to the smooth and fruity flavours in this dram.
Nose
Butter and lots of vanilla. an interesting combination between sweet and sour red fruits like raspberries and redcurrants.
Palette
The palate is soft and creamy, fruity and salty in a very pretty way. Sweet peat smoke and apricots are leading you to the grand finale.
Finish
There’s chocolate, honey and blackberry jam. Raisins and some oaky notes if you give it the time it needs and deserves. This one is a great appetizer.
Highland Park Valkyrie (RRP £55)
Highland Park is well known for its incredible balance, although sometimes they’re a little too well balanced to make it interesting. When that’s the case, we present you the Valkyrie. Just a little more peat, a little more edge and a higher ABV. The blackened bottle might look menacing, but we assure you: it fits the playful weather of spring very well.
Nose
A typical HP, with warming fruits and a whiff of smoke, quite mineral and it contains traces of salt, raisins and caramelized apples.
Palette
The palate is soft and creamy, fruity and salty in a very pretty way. Sweet peat smoke and apricots are leading you to the grand finale.
Finish
The finish is smokier than the nose and palate may suggest. Sweet smoke and salty fruits, lychees, copper and mineral notes. It’s quite complex, after a while there’s a taste of honeyed pindas, sweet barley and liquorice, it slightly dries into raisins and nuts
Glengoyne 12 (RRP £45)
Catching the first rays of the sun in your backyard or front porch, in the early days of spring. There are only a few things that could beat that. One thing that could make it even better is pouring a dram of this incredible Glengoyne 12 years. The tropical notes in this whisky makes you enjoy your sunny days even more.
Nose
Hazelnut to start with, leather and honey. Barley, milk chocolate and a very sweet and buttery red velvet cake. Chickpeas, mashed apples, orchard fruits, pineapple and salty fudge in the end.
Palette
Very rich with minerals, tropical fruits and hazelnuts. Slightly dry and bitter on the tongue with citrus and pineapple. Overall it is a well balanced dram.
Finish
A wet raincoat, hazelnuts and young cheese. Popcorn with cinnamon for the sweet tooth, lime zest and a bit salty as well.
Glenkinchie 12 (RRP £43)
A well accessible dram from the Lowlands. Glenkinchie 12yo is often overlooked, but worth trying, especially when the trees start to bloom. A beautifully balanced whisky that pleases both starting whisky explorers and well seasoned drammers.
Nose
Warming and sweet. Honey, floral and lots of nuts: mainly macadamia. Wood, moss, minerals, a subtle savoury note that vaguely reminds us of peated barley.
Palette
Soft, smooth and buttery. Salted nuts, vanilla, oak, banana and a whiff of petroleum jelly.
Finish
Not long, but just enough. Nutty, sweet and juicy, yellow prunes, grapes and vanilla ice.
Kilchoman Sauternes Cask Finish (RRP £65)
When the sun warms up your skin and the fresh grass is scattered by Daisies, you might fancy an Italian scoop of ice cream. Just before it gets too cold in the evening and you light up your fireplace. Let us introduce you to such a day in the form of a whisky. Kilchoman Sauternes Cask Finish is a great example of the bold Islay flavours, accompanied by smooth and creamy layers of sweetness.
Nose
Sweet and warming, wholemeal rusk, broth, a huge tasty yoghurt ice cream sherbet.
Palette
Thick, creamy and even a bit syrupy, lots of candy, drying and sweet, a slight savoury hint too.
Finish
The evening sets in: Sweet, syrupy, a fungi like savouriness, baked onions and nicely integrated peat smoke.
