Claxton's Glencarrick 10yo

Claxton's are well known for their square Warehouse No. 1 bottles - they take up more than the usual amount of shelf space!

Recently they've released a core range - I tried it at Kendal was was luck enough to be given a sample to review.

Glencarrick 10yo  was launched as part of Claxton's 'Core Range' which includes Grain Barn 30yo, Smoking Furnace & Red Comyn 12yo.

Bottler notes:

In the heart of the Scottish Lowlands, just north of the Dalswinton Estate, lie the forgotten ruins of the Glencarrick Distillery. Nestled between rocky recesses and tiny niagaras, Glencarrick sat on the edge of a waterfall Carricks Leap. Although closed long ago, this distillery was once in full and prosperous operation in the 1800s.

This small batch single malt is a nod to that illustrious heritage and is styled on the flavour of a historic Lowland Scotch through careful maturation in oloroso sherry and a 6 month finish in ex-Islay (Caol Ila) whisky casks. 

 

Bottled at 46% ABV non-chill-filtered

 

 

Let's see what it's like.... 

Appearance: Dark gold in the glass, swirls cling as a thin line take an age to bead and fall as slow thin legs.

 

Nose: dark berries, dried fruit and balsamic vinegar drizzled strawberries. There's some lovely jammy notes, BBQed meat and faint smoke. An almond nuttiness, milk chocolate and dried orange peel suggest Christmas.

Palate: lovely sweet arrival: honey drizzled on dried fruit stuffed baked apples. There's some blueberry jam, toffee chewing nuts and some Christmas spices: cinnamon and nutmeg, A little ginger snap hint, freshly dunked in a cup of hot tea. A little orange zest and a a lovely blanket of smoke covering everything.

Finish: Lingering orange marmalade, dried fruit, cinnamon spice and smoke..

Overall: A lovely 46% everyday drinker with some nice layers of complexity - there's the sherry notes, smoke and a lovely orange marmalade. Ratios change with each sip.