Brian's Malt Musings: TBWC Norwest-Euro Express Series

Friday, 25 February 2022

TBWC Norwest-Euro Express Series

The first of That Boutique-y Whisky Company's 2022 releases are based on a Norwest Euro Express, @BoutiqueyDave took us on a train journey!

The latest line-ups introduces nine world (non-Scotch) whiskies alongside three rums, with bottlings from both new and established distilleries.

For those that don't know That Boutique-y Whisky Company (TBWC) @BoutiqueyWhisky is an indie bottler owned by Atom Brands - owners of Master Of Malt, Drinks by the Dram and a few other well know whisky companies! They specialise in small batch whiskies from around the world - including from some distilleries you might not of heard of yet!

Each 50cl bottle has it's own unique graphic-novel-style label by Emily Chappell. You can read an amusing account of how she came to create whisky labels here!

For this Series @BoutiqueyWhisky say :

"If you’re someone who still thinks whisky starts with Scotland or Ireland and ends with America, it’s time to get aboard the Norwest-EuroExpress and see this collection of unforgettable whiskies from some of Northern Europe’s finest rye, buckwheat and malt distilleries."

Boutique-y sent me a tasting set and an invitation to a zoom session with Boutiquey-Dave and Boutiquey-Pete, giving me the chance to try their new releases - here's my brief thoughts:

Dave's route through North West Europe:

	Three stained glass windows, similar to the actual distillery warehouse windows. Each feature one of the three brothers, doing something that is passionate to them: Erwan is beekeeping, Kevin is dribbling a basketball, and Loig is NOT playing the bagpipes. It’s called a Binioù, a traditional 17th century Celtic Breton instrument.” Buckwheat flowers are growing beneath the window panes. Behind each of them is a standing stone with their logo carved into it.
My thoughts: Eddu 14yo Buckwheat 47.9% 3yr Limousin Oak finish Appearance: mid gold in the glass, swirls leave thick lines, no beads but slow thick legs. Nose: Floral rose notes, honey, hazelnuts, citrus peel. Palate: Thick sweet arrival, orchard fruit, orange, cinnamon spice. Finish: Lingering cinnamon spice, honey and citrus.

	There’s a SIMS style theme going on with our Broger label. The Broger family house is slowly being converted into a distillery. Their distillery is located near the mountains has a big ballooning scene which we’ve shown as a shadow over the distillery/house. It looks like the Swiss mountain goats are trying to break into the distillery, and have already broken the picket fences!
My thoughts: Broger Heavily Peated 6yo 62.3% French Limousin casks Appearance: bronze in the glass, swirls leave thin lines, tiny beads form and fall as slow thin legs Nose: Oil, tar, burnt rubber, a little hazelnut and a little Turkish Delight. Palate: Thick perfume-y arrival, this is not nice... sour citrus and liquorice root. Finish: Unpleasant perfume and tar notes.

	HighGlen is a one-man operation - Lord Gunter Sommer - so we’ve got him in lederhosen. Obviously. Gunter is bending over to look at into a cask, holding a giant magnifying glass and finding there’s a tiny whisky bar inside of it. It’s his smallest whisky bar on earth! The dentist light hanging down lighting the whole scene is a reference to a previous profession, as are the skis propped in the corner.
My thoughts: HighGlen 3yo 46.4% Bourbon staves and sherry ended casks Appearance: light gold in the glass, swirls leave thin lines, no beads but fast oily legs Nose: Orchard fruit, berries, malt Palate: Sweet and spicy arrival, orchard fruit, lemon citrus, honey and black pepper Finish: Lingering peppery spice and honey

	When you think of Bavaria, whisky isn’t the first thought that comes to your head eh? It’s beer! So our label features a scene from a Bavarian beer festival, in October, or Oktoberfest if you will… That’s Slyrs’ head distiller Hans balancing a big load of half-full whisky glasses in his arms, and the punter with a bottle of this bottling asking him the question "bist du der Whisky-Mixer?" is someone we know well here - it's our cask buyer Felix
My thoughts: Slyrs 52.6% crocodile toast new American Oak Appearance: dark gold in the glass, swirls leave thick lines, large beads and fast thick legs. Nose: Dried fruit, berries, vanilla, pine needles Palate: Thick fruity arrival, peppery spice, orchard fruit, berries. Finish: Lingering fruit, spice and honey.

	When we learnt that the distillery was located in the village of Farre (which was previously known as Fary) we had that far far away fairytale image in our head. So our label is based up on an old style fairytale book illustration; a woodland glade and a small glistening lake. Surrounding it is a magical, sparkling forest, with springtime flowers and oversized onions representing their stills. Pretty eh?
My thoughts: Fary Lochan 6yo 60.2% full term PX Appearance: dark gold in the glass, swirls leave thin lines, small beads which fall as slow oily legs Nose: Dunnage funk, toffee, red berries Palate: Surprisingly thin sweet arrival, sweet, strawberry toffee, treacle toffee, very drying Finish: Long dry toffee and fruit notes.

	Sweden's Smögen distillery resides on a farm near Hunnebostrand, and was named after the small island of Smögen which is also nearby. Hållö Island is a small rocky windswept island in Smögen, and is home to a historic lighthouse. Our label shows distillery founder Par Caldenby standing on Hållö Island next to the lighthouse. How do you answer the telephone? Ahoy-hoy or hello?
My thoughts: Smogen 8yo Heavily Peated 60.3% Appearance: light gold in the glass, swirls leave thick lines with small beads which fall as slow thin legs. Nose: Huge peat smoke, bonfire ashes, cherry lips Palate: Tick smoky arrival, dry peppery spice, ash, a little honey and orchard fruit. Finish: Lingering peppery spice, honey and a little stewed orchard fruit.

	Our label shows the distillery in one of its former guises; a car wash. The Monopoly cars are a reference to the strict Finnish alcohol monopoly ‘Alko’. There’s a sauna on the roof of the distillery, it’s where the three friends met and discussed the idea of distilling whisky, and so typically Finnish too. That’s head distiller and amateur actor Mikko in his towel getting ready to go into the sauna. His film crew is waiting for him!
My thoughts: Helsinki 6yo Rye 58.9% (70% Rye, 30% Barley) Appearance: mid gold in the glass, swirls leave thin lines, small beads and slow thin legs. Nose: Aniseed, pepper, berry fruit, toffee Palate: Black pepper, blueberries, balsamic vinegar, aniseed Finish: Lingering peppery spice and berries

	Teerenpeli translates to ‘flirtation’ and also means ‘black grouse’. So we've made sure there’s a reference to both on our label. That’s Sales and Marketing Manager, Jari Mämmi, driving the Zamboni along the rows of shipping container businesses. The original distillery started off within a restaurant, hence the stills in the back of ours. The Pelicans are a local ice hockey team, oh, and Jari is currently sporting a Mohawk - as are the black grouse. Check out our whisky shop - on the first batch it was called 'Casking for a friend' - Now it's 'Kuntz Cask Investments'
My thoughts: Teerenpeli Lightly Peated 3yo 55.5% Ex-bourbon Appearance: pale gold in the glass, swirls leave thin lines, form small beads and fall as slow thin legs. Nose: Gentle smoke, ash, faint tropical fruit and citrus notes. Palate: Thick sweet arrival, the ABV makes itself known, toffee, citrus, peppery spice and a lovely layer of smoke. Finish: Lingering peppery spice, citrus and peat smoke.

	You’ll probably recognise where we took our inspiration for our Kyrö label, as it’s a picture they’ve used a few times before. We’ve just ‘boutiquey-fied’ it a little. The founders of Kyrö are in a rye field running towards the distillery, through the ‘Rye World’ gate at the edge of the field, and there seems to be some of our Boutique-y velociraptors chasing them - will they make it back to safety? Check out that sky! It’s full of the colours of the Aurora Borealis.
My thoughts: Kyro 4yo Rye 53.1% (100% Rye) Appearance: dark gold in the glass, swirls leave thin lines, small beads which fall as slow thin legs. Nose: Aniseed, pepper, earth, burnt coffee, balsamic vinegar Palate: Black pepper, blueberries, balsamic vinegar, dark chocolate Finish: Medium length peppery spice and dark chocolate.