Not sure which my favourite was, but I think #TheCairnDistillery 18 Year Old is the best bang for buck of the bunch. Thanks @thewhiskywire.bsky.social for organising. Love #BlueSkyTastings, they are like the old days of the other place.
The palate of the 30YO is delicate. There is a honey sweetness, delicate floral notes, lemon zest and gentle ginger spice. #TheCairnDistillery
Maybe less sherry influence? Or different sherry? Much more nutty. #TheCairnDistillery
Last is #TheCairnDistillery 30 Year Old. This time I get lemon meringue, crisp green apples and then sherried fruit. It’s quieter, but still full flavoured.
It’s weird how whisky seems to age a little bit like books! 😂 #TheCairnDistillery
The palate of #TheCairnDistillery 25 Year Old is like a refined version of the 18YO. Somehow more mellow, but with all the same musty fruity, leather books and spice.
Third dram is #TheCairnDistillery 25 Year Old. Again, this is full of beautiful sherried aromas. Rich fruity brown sugar, citrusy zest and toasted nuts.
The palate of #TheCairnDistillery 18YO follows the nose, it’s musty and full of lovely dried fruits, whole nut chocolate and then full of warming gingery and cinnamon spice.
Knew it! 😂 #TheCairnDistillery
Next is #TheCairnDistillery 18 Year Old. Aroma: Loads of musty, sweet sherry fruit, toasted hazelnuts and milk chocolate sweetness.
With that little line on the side, I bet @kaskwhisky.bsky.social is trying to pour drams exactly on the line! #TheCairnDistillery
Do they class themselves as Highland or Speyside? #TheCairnDistillery
Ooh, #TheCairnDistillery 12YO palate is a surprise. It is at first sweet with marshmallows, but also fruity with raspberry acidity. There is a gentle waft of heathery smoke and then loads of lovely warming ginger and cinnamon spice.
First up, #TheCairnDistillery 12 Year Old. Aroma: It’s full of apples, vanilla and spicy oak, which is almost heathery.
Time to lift the lid on #TheCairnDistillery…
Ardnahoe – Infinite Loch
When you say “Islay whisky” to a group of people at a tasting, they already have a preconceived idea of what to expect before they have even nosed it, so trying to surprise them is tricky. This meant choosing an odd cask, a sneaky unpeated whisky, or as I opted for,…
That’s very kind, but I think it’s outside the bracket for my tasting, I’m trying to keep tickets to £25, so budget stays lower.
What email?
They are definitely getting in, because they are our most local distillery, are lovely folks and they make great whisky.
Planning a tasting for the start of June.
Not sure I can get behind them now, given what we know about the business. But I do agree that they made some great spirit.
Thanks! Super helpful.
Filey Bay was on my list, but I am about behind on their current releases. Any tip offs? A Cadenhead EWC is a great shout, especially as I am quite luke warm about their standard offerings.
That was one of my favourite scenes. I laughed so much.
Wireworks are a shoo-in. Just deciding which whisky to represent them.
Interesting list. Thanks Brian!
If you had to host an English whisky tasting, what 5/6 whiskies would you choose? I’ve got my ideas, but interested in what everyone else thinks.
I’ve bought from SWA before, but only to pick up a unicorn Feis Ile bottle that I wanted to drink again. I just don’t usually spend enough to justify the postage!
Interesting, I wonder why.
I have never been involved in the whisky auction scene, but picking up bargains sounds like fun. Where are you gents buying?
