Based in Edinburgh the company produces a range of single cask malt and blended scotch whiskies, on this occasion we were trying two additions to their Family Collection released in August of this year, both blended malts are bottled non chill-filtered, at natural colour and are 46% abv.
Vanilla Burst is a blend of only 2 Speyside single malts with a light and fruity character that were chosen to mature in 15 1st-fill ex-bourbon barrels. The 4800 bottles of Vanilla Burst perfectly demonstrate an intense 1st fill bourbon wood influence on a light and sweet Speyside malt Scotch whisky.
Treacle Chest is a blend of only 2 Highland single malts with a sweet, cereal character that were chosen to be matured in just 14 1st-fill ex-sherry hogsheads. The resulting 6300 bottles of Treacle Chest are a perfect example of how rich and weighty 1st fill ex-sherry casks influence unpeated Highland Scotch malt whisky.
We also got to try one of their regular range - Spice King, known for its sweet spicy character, this blended malt whisky has over ten single malts from across Scotland and a signature malt from the Highlands and Islands. 46% abv.
A few days before the tasting a parcel arrived containing a beautiful presentation box:
As an additional bonus Wemyss had included a bottle of Spice King Old Fashioned. Their presentation was go good Billy wanted to frame them!
I preferred to drink them and at 7pm the tasting began!
First up the Vanilla Burst
Nose: very grassy, obvious vanilla, some toffee, lots of icing sugar, the longer it is in the glass more spice is developing.
Palate: lots of spice - a little creamy fruit and some dry biscuit notes
Finish: short spicy finish - definitely pepper. Leaves a little apple aftertaste on the palate.
Other People's thoughts:
Next the Treacle Chest
Nose: a little vanilla, some brown sugar and a little citrus peel, getting a little smoke but there's no peated barley. Nose a little more gentle than the VB, a little sherry coming through but also some thick honey.
Palate: a little spice on the palate, some honey or treacle(!) - a little oily or buttery
Finish: slightly disappointed with the finish, lets it down, spicy but quite short.....
Other People's thoughts:
Final dram the Spice King
Nose: this wasn't the spice bomb I expected - more earthy and malty - some grass.
Palate: WOW - it's a completely different dram! Lots the spice and also an oily sweetness and some brine! The spice isn't really in for face - it just lingers.
Finish: long lingering chilli finish - nice!
Other People's thoughts:
Overall I preferred the Spice King to the first two but it was interesting that on the nose the Vanilla Burst probably had more spice! Three good blends that are worth hunting out and trying.
And as a bit of a treat an Old Fashioned.
This was the first time I'd tried a whisky cocktail - this one was pre-made with Spice King and all we needed add was some ice and a slice or two or orange peel.
I loving the nose on this, it was the whole of Christmas in a glass - whisky, spices, especially cinnamon, orange - yummy!
Many thanks to Steve for organising, Wemyss for supplying and all my fellow twitterers for sharing the experience!
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