Monday, May 10, 2010

A mystery dram ... but what is it?

mystery dramWe apologise for the fact that there hasn't been a 'mystery dram' for a while and that Whisky For Everyone has been a little quieter than usual recently. This is due to us working hard in our day jobs and also developing an exciting new sideline project, which we plan to announce shortly. Anyway, we have posted below the tasting notes of a whisky that we have tasted recently. The idea is that you try to guess what the 'mystery dram' is from these notes. To register your answer, click on the 'comments' section at the bottom of this post once you have read the notes and follow the instructions.

The answer will be revealed later this week, when we will post a full review of the whisky in question. This will incorporate the tasting notes below, information about the whisky and include our regular dose of distillery history and facts. There are no prizes for guessing correctly but correct answers will be mentioned in the final article, so please leave your name next to your comment! Good luck and here goes ...

Our 'mystery dram' tasting notes
The colour of this whisky is golden with a touch of coppery amber. The nose is vibrant with a rich mix of interesting aromas - caramel, dried fruits (think of raisins and orange peel), slightly sulphuric coal smoke, wood spices (imagine cinnamon and nutmeg) and a whiff of antiseptic surgical spirit. On the palate, this whisky is heavier and smokier than the nose suggests. It has an oily feeling in the mouth, with the smokiness more pronounced and up front than on the nose. This smokiness is also less coal-like and more reminiscent of a bonfire or bonfire ash. Through this come other elements that combine well - caramel sweetness (this is quite sugary initially before fading), fruits (the dried raisins and peel again), a distinct grassy herbal note (a combination of dried grass and a hint of liquorice), some wood spice (cinnamon and nutmeg) and some hotter spice (think of peppercorns and red chilli). The finish is long and lingering but is drier than the palate, with the smoky and herbal notes prominent and giving it a slightly acrid edge. This whisky is bottled by the distillery at 46% ABV and should cost £45-50 a bottle.

Now it is over to you ... can you work out what it may be?

11 comments:

WhiskyNotes said...

GlenDronach 15yo Revival?

Unknown said...

Highland Park 18y?

Smoke On The Water said...

I think it's from Springbank distillery. Longrow 14?

Gal Granov said...

hmmm. tough one this time ;)

Chandalf said...

Sounds like Springbank 18 to me...?

Unknown said...

I'm thinking Amrut - probably Fusion.

David Fitt said...

Talisker 1998 Distillers Edition. I think !!

Gal Granov said...

yossi, i think the fusion comes in 50% abv..
i havent tasted it yet. a bottle is coming in 2 weeks

Tim F said...

Was going to say Bowmore Tempest, but it's the wrong strength. I'm guessing it's the new Kilchoman Spring release.

Tim F said...

...or Jura Prophecy?

Ingo (WhiskySponge) said...

My guess: Connemara (Peated) Sherry Finish - had this one recently, and the profile would fit.