The Whisky Works @TweetTastings

 James Whyte and Charles Mackay founded their company in 1844, on the banks of the River Clyde, they experimented with blending whisky as an alternative to the Cognac which was popular at the time. Today, as well as the Whyte & Mackay, John Barr and Claymore blends, they own single malt brands Dalmore, Fettercairn, Invergordon, Isle of Jura and Tamnavulin.

Experimentation is still at the heart of what they do and a recent addition to the portfolio is The Whisky Works brand, a boutique blending and bottling house, run as an independent arm. They release small batches of experimentally matured or blended whiskies.



An invitation to take part in a @TweetTastings of some of these wonderful experiments can't be turned down! A few days before the tasting a package arrived!

These were generous 60ml samples of the company's four releases to date:

Let's see what they were like:

First up on the night was the 10yo King of Trees Blended Malt at 46.5%

My thoughts:

Appearance: Pale gold in the glass, swirls fall as slow thick legs.

Nose: loads of orchard fruit, pears, apples, plums stewed with a big dollop of vanilla custard on top. There's also some heather notes a lovely hint of ginger spice. A little while in the glass and getting some citrus notes and more of the ginger spice - this is going to be yummy!

Palate: lovely almost liquorice arrival, sweet and sour at the same time - pears and grapefruit. There's the lovely ginger spice from the nose and a creamy sour chocolate note.

Finish: sour grapefruit note lingers, there's a little sweetness then more of the ginger spice.
Lovely dram to start the evening with!

Other Tweeters' thoughts:

Next up was the Glaswegian 29yo Single Grain at 54.2%

 My thoughts:

Appearance: again a pale gold in the glass. Swirls cling to the glass before falling as slow thin legs.

Nose: buttered popcorn, vanilla, , a little icing sugar. There's hints of tropic fruit and toffee here too!

Palate: lovely smooth buttery arrival with a little ginger spice. The tropical notes continue with dried pineapple in icing sugar - delicious! You don't even notice the ABV - it's just a lovely dram at exactly the strength it should be.

Finish: warming, slightly drying, the icing sugar and an unexpected chilli spice mingling nicely.
What a yummy dram!

Other Tweeters' thoughts:

Third of the evening was Quartermaster a 12yo 46.4% blend

My thoughts:

Appearance: A mid gold colour in the glass, swirling leaves rings on the glass which eventually fall as slow thick legs.

Nose: Black Forest Gateau, berries and cherries with a little thick cut orange marmalade. Dried fruit and dark brown sugar notes. The rum cask is hinted at, but there's plenty of tropical fruit notes.

Palate: a sweet fruit cocktail of a dram, pineapple, peaches, pears, plums. The list goes on! Some strawberry jam notes hint at the sherry.

Finish: a little short, the fruit from the palate are joined by a little peppery spice.

Other Tweeters' thoughts:

Final drm of the night was a 20yo Speysider at 47.1%

My thoughts:

Appearance: Pale gold in the glass with gravity defying swirls which linger, eventually falling as slow thick legs.

Nose: a little strawberry jam, icing sugar and some lemon notes - very delicate.

Palate: fairly thick arrival, tropical fruit and strawberry jam notes. The icing sugar from the nose is there too along with a gentle peppery spice.

Finish: lemon meringue (thanks @steveascough) gives way to a ginger spice which lingers for a while.

Other Tweeters' thoughts:

A great set of drams!