The second release came out in the autumn, here we compare the two side by side.
| Dram | Whiskymaker's Reserve #1 | Whiskymaker's Reserve #2 |
| Characteristics | 60.6% ABV, Natural colour, NCF | 60.9% ABV, Natural colour, NCF |
| Distillery info | Matured principally in finest, meticulously sourced PX and red wine oak casks, comprising American, Spanish and French oak. The nose is rich and vibrant with vanilla, chocolate and wood spice, layers of dry fruits, ginger and orange on the palate and a long, warming finish. Nose: vanilla, raisins, and gentle spice with hints of chocolate. Palate: wood spice, orange citrus and dry fruits. Finish: very long and warming with mouth-coating creaminess. | Matured in the finest, meticulously sourced PX, red wine and bourbon casks. The nose is rich and complex with dry fruits and treacle, creamy layers of wood spice and comforting vanilla on the palate and a long, luxurious finish. Nose: sultanas, treacle, sun-dried figs and gentle spices. Palate: warming spices, vanilla and dry fruits. Finish: long and warming with a smooth, creamy mouthfeel. |
| My thoughts: | ||
| Appearance |  | |
| Orangey gold colour, swirls fall as slow thin legs | Pale gold, swirls cling to the glass and fall as slow fat legs | |
| Nose | The sherry notes jump out of the glass initially, red fruit, dried fruit and some stewed apple. There's a huge toffee note and hints of strawberries and vanilla. A little time in the glass, mixing with oxygen, opens up the fruit notes - strawberries, raspberries and a little black cherry, icing sugar and milk chocolate. Maybe a hint of bourbon or rye? | Loads of vanilla, and despite the higher ABV is actually less aggressive on the nose. Strawberry jam from the sherry and a hint of red wine. Red fruit, dried fruit and stewed apple from it's older brother but it's not got the spicy bourbon notes. If anything this smells a little younger? |
| Palate | Thick, incredibly smooth arrival, coats the mouth with huge red fruit notes before a slightly sour citrus note takes over. Finally the spice comes through as the liquid disappears down your throat. This is so thick and smooth you'd never guess it was 60.6% ABV - absolutely no need to add water. A few more sips reveal the dried fruit and black cherries from the nose. The icing sugar is also there, drying the mouth with each sip. Big sherry bomb notes but it's incredibly smooth, maybe the red wine casks have calmed down what would be a little rough at this ABV?! | Again a thick smooth arrival, spice comes through immediately but it's not as intense. Red fruit and strawberry jam along with a lot of vanilla custard. Again you wouldn't guess at the ABV, it's higher than it's older brother but seems much lower - I wouldn't think of adding water. A little time in the glass reveals a little more fruit - stewed apples and pears. The addition of some ex-bourbon casks has added a lovely vanilla note right through this dram and I think that makes it better. |
| Finish | The spice is there, the sour citrus note (grapefruit?) is back and the red fruit lingers. It's very warming and long lasting - a perfect winter's night dram for sipping around a log fire. | A similar finish to #1, spice, sour citrus and a little red fruit. The vanilla has all but disappeared. |
| Overall | As I said in my review of the #1 this is a really good dram, but I think the #2 is better, that addition of a little ex-bourbon matured whisky adds a little more complexity and a wonderful vanilla note. | |
The Lakes Distillery are suggesting that these whiskies are "an artistic exploration of oak and blending; of flavour evolution and defining a house style." Well I'm impressed, if this the house style then bring it on!
You can read my full review of the #1 here.
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