We’re on to version three of the ImpEx Assortment — which includes six Scotch whiskies and, for the primary time, 4 agave-based spirits, particularly mezcal. Right now we run by way of the Scotch. Keep tuned for the mezcal in one other dispatch.
Away we go!
The ImpEx Assortment Benrinnes 2008 16 Years Outdated Cask #800218 – Aged in a hogshead. It is a textbook instance of bourbon barrel-aged Speyside malt, pale as a ghost with a crisp nostril of toasted cereal, roasted nuts, and gentle notes of vanilla. Notes of baked apple ring the sides, however the focus is on the grain. The palate is sharp at cask energy however under no circumstances overwhelming, once more heavy on the contemporary, evenly sweetened cereal notes together with gentle flavors of apple and a contact of lemon curd. A floral high quality builds on the end, with white flowers and a few crimson blossoms including a contact of fragrance to an in any other case clear, simple expertise. 108.2 proof. A- / $160
The ImpEx Assortment Blair Athol 2007 15 Years Outdated Cask #4255 – Oloroso sherry growing older provides this Highlands spirit a wealthy, amber shade — and loads of punch to again it up. Toasted nuts — almonds, walnuts, some pistachio — dominate the nostril, although time in glass helps notes of contemporary cereal, heather, and a few oily wooden to construct. Much more time permits a inexperienced herb notice to slowly emerge — rosemary, after which some sage. The palate is initially wealthy and leathery, but in addition almond-heavy just like the nostril telegraphs, quickly opening the door for a reasonable notice of baking spice, inexperienced apples, and a sliver of grapefruit peel. There’s lots happening on this whisky — greater than I’ve mentioned right here — to the purpose the place I want I’d had a much bigger pattern to delve into. Alas, I’ll have to depart issues at that for now. 110.8 proof. A- / $135
The ImpEx Assortment Caol Ila 2010 13 Years Outdated Cask #302281 – Aged in a hogshead. The traditional peat of Caol Ila hits you when the glass is a foot away out of your nostril. Huge with aromas of sea spray and bonfire smoke, it’s as iconic a maritime malt as you’ll discover. The palate is constructed out of peat, stewed meat, oak tannin, and black fruits, all in a swirl — and given the bourbon barrel growing older it’s maybe unsurprising that issues don’t ever go a lot deeper. Somewhat water softens up what could be a considerably tannic expertise, but it surely pushes the peat right into a extra overtly smoky character, for higher or worse. I discovered the end to fall somewhat flat and ashy. 118 proof. B / $145
The ImpEx Assortment Invergordon 1974 49 Years Outdated Cask #7844000035 – A close to 50-year-old single grain whisky, aged in hogsheads. A reasonable amber in shade, this has the traditional trappings of previous Scottish grain spirit, malty and candy on the nostril, although its honeycomb and marshmallow aromatics are tempered with gentle notes of char. Candy on the palate however in need of overwhelming, the sugary parts finally tackle a floral, barely grassy high quality. Rose petals linger on a end that in any other case evokes toasted, sugared nuts and praline. 95.2 proof. A- / $420
The ImpEx Assortment Islay Cask 1991 31 Years Outdated Cask #700048 – Thriller Islay single malt, aged in a bourbon barrel. The bonfire smoke bomb instantly connotes Bowmore to me (although I might completely flawed), brooding and dense, with maritime notes taking on a secondary place. Hints of fruit evident on the nostril are extra current on the palate, providing notes of crimson apple, cantaloupe, and a squeeze of grapefruit that lingers on the again finish. Whereas relatively sooty all through, there’s a nice reprise of citrus on the end. Outdated Islay tends to have rather more delicate, subdued peat notes than I discovered right here. Chalk it as much as the barrel. 97.4 proof. B+ / $620
The ImpEx Assortment Linkwood 2008 15 Years Outdated Cask #800832 – Speyside single malt, aged in a hogshead. A bracing whisky, this instantly reveals off a brooding, earthy high quality that you simply not often discover in Speyside. Notes of cereal are tempered by a toasted oak and coconut character, with a punch of gunpowder hitting the nostrils while you breathe deep. Properly-integrated fruit notes of pear and apricot add a little bit of complexity, although the whisky by no means turns into overwhelming in anyone course. A deft mixture of candy and savory, the completed product has the gravitas of an Islay Scotch with out the punch of peat. 119.8 proof. A- / $130
The ImpEx Assortment Ardmore 2008 13 Years Outdated Cask #5943
$150
