Gladstone Axe @TweetTastings

@gladstone_axe launched their Blended Malt range in the UK with a @TweetTastings with @TheWhiskyWire

I was lucky enough to be picked - here's my thoughts and those of a few friends!

A brand from New York, USA : Biggar and Leith bringing their scotch whisky to the UK! Named after four-times Prime Minister, William Gladstone, the whisky is a modern twist on classic Scotch. There are two expressions in the range – The Gladstone Axe American Oak and The Gladstone Axe The Black Axe, both bottled in an iconic bottle which tells the story of William Gladstone in a contemporary way.

The whiskies have been carefully selected from the Highlands and Islay to create two easy-drinking smooth blends made up of 14 single malts.  The whiskies were created in honour of William Gladstone by his great-great-great Grandson, Elwyn Gladstone, Founder of Biggar and Leith and Malfy Gin. 

William Gladstone was Prime Minister during the reign of Queen Victoria and had a legendary collection of axes. His passion was for felling trees as a way of relaxing and exercising and people would come from around the country to watch him chopping trees.

The Gladstone Axe American Oak is aged and finished in American Oak Bourbon barrels and blended from whiskies from 14 different Highland and Islay single malt distilleries.

The Black Axe has a higher proportion of Islay malts to add just a touch of smoky character.

My thoughts:

Appearance: dark gold in the glass, swirls leave a thin line on the glass which beads up and fall as slow thin legs.

Nose: orchard fruit, honey, cereal and a hint of citrus : apples, pears and peaches ; runny honey, digestive biscuit and some lemon zest.

Palate: thin watery arrival, a little orange juice & cinnamon spice.  The orchard fruit, cereal & honey sweetness from the nose are here along with some tropical fruit & butterscotch notes. It's a little young & hot but designed for cocktails rather than neat.

Finish: lingering orchard fruit, citrus and cinnamon spice.

Other Tweeter's thoughts:

My thoughts:

Appearance: the same gold colour in the glass, swirls cling as a thin line, take a little time to bead up and fall as slow thin legs.

Nose: similar orchard fruit, honey sweetness, cereal and citrus as it's American Oak brother but with a hint of peat smoke and seaweed. A few have said banana bread - I can understand that!

Palate: again a little watery but this is completely different - dry ashy smoke, much more that the nose suggests; a little salt, ginger spice, tropical fruit and dried berries. This is much nicer!

Finish: long dry smoky finish with a little ginger spice and citrus

Other Tweeter's thoughts: