Whisky from...? Germany 3

I've mentioned this a few times -  there are more distilleries in Germany than in Scotland. Here's a review of a couple of bottles I had 'muled' over from Germany recently!

Huge thanks to @mentaldrams for his transportation services!

Elsburn (formally known as Glen Els before the SWA got heavy!) was founded in 2002 in the town of Elsbach in the Harz Mountains. It only produced around 13,000 bottles per year from it's 0.8 tonne full lauter mash tun, 4 x 3,000 litre French Oak Washbacks and 3 copper pot stills.

Nine Springs distillery is owned by Number Nine Spirituosen-Manufaktur. Starting as a brewery in 1867 in the town of Leinefelde-Worbis in Central Germany, it became a state brewery in East Germany following WW2. The head brewer decided to try his hands at spirits following a trip to Scotland with the first proper distillate coming off the still in April 2013.

Let's see what the drams are like:

       

Dram	Elsburn Ruby & Tawny Port Cask	The Nine Springs 2015 5yo Amontillado Cask (From Indie Bottler Pat Hoch)
Characteristics	46% ABV Natural Colour, NCF Ruby & Tawny Port Cask 1375 bottles	52.6% ABV Natural Colour, NCF, Not Smoked (it says on the bottle!) Amontillado Cask 100 bottled
Distillery notes	A Single Malt Whisky from the Harz core brand ElsBurn recently benefited from the wine-blessed casks. The Original Hercynian Single Malt is a mild Whisky, usually distilled from light, non-smoky malt and roasted chocolate malt. The first edition of ElsBurn Ruby & Tawny Port was given an aroma-intensive maturation period in Casks that previously contained different port wines. The liqueur wine of the Ruby type is particularly strong and fruity, while Tawny Port quickly develops sweet dried fruit notes in small pipes. Accordingly, a complex sweetness and wonderful fruit notes characterize the limited bottling.	MADE IN GERMANY is the name of the series from Pat Hock Whisky's portfolio, which has set itself the task of conjuring up the most exciting individual casks from the individual distilleries producing in this country into the bottle. The independent bottler Pat Hock Whisky fills part of a single Amontillado Sherry cask, which was previously allowed to mature for 5 years. Limited to 100 numbered bottles. Nose : Strong spiciness with hints of dry figs and dates, aromatic barrel influence with hints of chocolate and polished wood. Flavour : Harmonious interplay of brown sugar and strong spices, dried fruit and a pleasant nuttiness Finish : Medium long, vanilla and caramel sweetly round off the finish, spicy sherry and oak notes with a hint of dark chocolate in the finish.
My thoughts:
Appearance
	Dark gold almost bronze in the glass, swirls leave a thick line which falls as slow thick legs.	Dark gold almost bronze in the glass, swirls leave a thin line which falls as slow thick legs.
Nose	Berries - strawberries, black berries and raspberries drizzled in a little balsamic vinegar. There's a little tropical fruit hidden in here with some dried fruit.	Musty dunnage warehouse notes, dried fruit, dates, figs, prunes and some berry notes. There's a real nutty note too - walnuts or brazil nuts. Although the bottle says "Not Smoked" there does seem to be some!
Palate	Sweet thick arrival, mouth coating berries, brown sugar and toffee apple. After a few sips the fruit comes to the fore - coated in dark chocolate. There's a little dry nutmeg spice as the liquid disappears.	Thick sweet arrival - mouth coating. Sherry notes to the fore: strawberry jam, blueberries, toffee. The nuts from the nose are evident here too. Brown sugar and a gentle cinnamon spice round things off  - very dry as the liquid disappears.
Finish	Lingering dry spice and berry fruit notes.	Lingering dry sweetness with cinnamon spice and berries.
Overall	I'm partial to a bit of port cask maturation, especially Tawny, but I don't think I've ever seem a whisky matured in two different styles? The Elsburn is wonderfully fruity, easy to drink and delicious on the palate. I've not had many Amontillado finished drams before - but this one mixes the sherry fruit notes with huge nuttiness - yummy! I'll be looking out for some more. The German whisky scene is huge, most of it seems to be on Facebook and YouTube rather than Twitter so we tend to miss it over here in the UK. There are loads of distilleries putting out some lovely liquid and these are two good examples.

Major German distilleries:

Map: www.alba-collection.de