The Discovery Range is a new addition to G&M's portfolio, it's an introductory range offering "an utterly dependable and consistent choice of our finest single malt whiskies, each expression sits within the bold flavour profiles of either 'Sherry', 'Smoky', or 'Bourbon'"
As is usual with these things a parcel arrived a few days before the tasting containing the 4 drams and a lovely booklet introducing the range.
Currently the range consists of four drams, we'll step through each in turn.
First up was the Balblair 12yo offering a bourbon profile.
Nose: Orchard fruit, icing sugar, hints of honey. Very fresh smelling! Lots of pear drops - dipped in Icing sugar.
Palate: Nice bite of spice up front which mellows with the arrival of honey, digestive biscuit and oak not at all what the nose was pointing at!
Finish: Long spicy oak with some vanilla hints
Distillery notes:
Aroma: Ripe pear and stewed rhubarb steeped in honey and decadent raspberry jam mature into sweet meadow grasses complemented by underlying fresh lemon and lime edge. Taste: Balanced, crisp green apple wrapped in salted dark chocolate accompanied by hints of peaches and cream and gentle menthol nuances. Finish: Light aniseed and warming white pepper develop on the finish whilst highlights of fresh lemon zest adds depth.
Other tweeter's thought:
Next was the Tormore 13yo another offering a bourbon profile.
My thoughts: another very pale dram, no legs to speak of when swirled, initial nose melon!Nose: Sweet honeydew melon, some grass, a little pineapple and banana?
Palate: Creamy start with some vanilla and lemon then develops a spicy oaky note - some ginger - rather nice!
Finish: Surprisingly long and spicy - initial ginger burn mellows to a warming in the throat.
Distillery notes:
Aroma: Fruity and lively: abundant tropical fruit notes of pineapple, grapefruit, coconut, and freshly squeezed lime weave with hints of freshly cut grass and toasted malt. Taste: Creamy, the sweetness of the vanilla, velvety milk chocolate, and baked apple are perfectly balanced by zesty citrus peel. Undertones of plump apricot and juicy mango develop. Finish: Delightfully delicate with gentle lingering herbal tones finish with nuances of charred oak.
Other tweeter's thought:
Third was the Miltonduff 10yo offering a sherry profile.
My thoughts: Lovely copper gold colour, slow fat legs when swirled, initial nose dried fruit and sherryNose: Completely different from the last two, sherry cask shows through, dried fruit, cold tea, some pears, dunnage warehouse floors!
Palate: Chewy old leather - suggests older than 10yo - some orange oil, prunes and wood. A little drying spice at the end. Ok but not as good as the first two.
Finish: Long with spicy jaffa cakes!
Distillery notes:
Aroma: Chocolate and sticky orange marmalade transforms into juicy plump stewed raisins and sweet baked apple, freshly cut grass notes delicately balance the rich sherry influences. Taste: Sweet and spicy: comforting butter candies weave with roasted hazelnut followed closely by orange zest, cinnamon, and mouth-warming pepper maturing into plum and fig jam. Finish: Long with highlights of chocolate and stewed fruit finishing with lingering winter spices.
Other tweeter's thought:
Final dram was the Caol Ila 13yo offering a smoky profile.
My thoughts: pale gold colour, short fat legs when swirled, initial nose yesterday's BBQ ashesNose: Smoke from an old fire or bbq - but it was a slightly sweet edge to it with some dark chocolate and black cherries - lovely!
Palate: A little citrus pith, some spice and a whole load of smoke! There's some maritime notes in there and did I mention the smoke? Lovely dram - beats the other 3 by a country mile!
Finish: Medium length SMOKE but with a lingering ginger spice which I didn't notice on the nose or palate - lovely dram!
Distillery notes:
Aroma: Sweet and savoury: dry-cured meats glazed with luscious apricot jam combines with rich vanilla notes. Flashes of softly swirling peat smoke complement the delicious sweetness. Taste: Bursting with juicy tropical fruit - pineapple, kiwi, and banana - brushed softly with icing sugar. Light touches of malt and vibrant lemon peel balance the sweetness. Finish: Long and luxurious with hints of sweet marshmallow toasting over gently smouldering bonfire embers.
Other tweeter's thought:
Many thanks to Steve for organising, Gordon and MacPhail for supplying the drams and my fellow tweeters for a really enjoyable evening!
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