Virtual tasting : Fragrant Drops with NEWAS

The North East Whisky Appreciate Society @eastwhisky is a great little group based in the north east of England who organise regular virtual tastings, this one featured @FragrantDrops

The tasting was hosted by Rachel and George from Fib.

NEWAS were founded in 2015 by @KarlGlenn8, they have a large friendly Facebook group, hold regular tastings and a now annual festival in Newcastle. 

Fragrant Drops was launched in January '2023. A range of independently bottled Scotch Whiskies and others ambrosial libations brought to you by Rachel and George, of Keeble Cask Company Ltd. based in Leith, Edinburgh.

"We source casks from across Scotland and beyond and bottle them when we feel they're ready for you to enjoy."

Their first release consists of 6 bottlings: 3 single cask malts whiskies, a single cask grain, a French Brandy and a Guyanese Rum:

Rachel and George led us through the 6 bottlings in their first public tasting:

Here are my brief tasting notes:

Port Dundas 21yo D: 10 Oct '00, matured in Barrel #305291, B: 6 Oct '22, 62.1% ABV, 187 bottles

Appearance: pale gold in the glass, swirls leaves thin lines which take an age to bead up and eventually fall as slow thin legs.

Nose: typical old grain notes of buttered popcorn, vanilla and toffee. There's also some floral hints and some nuttiness.

Palate: thick sweet buttery arrival, honey, tropical fruit, vanilla. The nuttiness comes through again in coconut and peacans before a lovely peppery spice.

French Brandy 30yo D: 31 Dec '91, matured in Hogshead #3, B: 4 Oct '22, 46.5% ABV, 217 bottles

Appearance: mid gold in the glass, swirls leaves thin lines forming tiny beads which fall as slow thick legs.

Nose: oak, toffee, grapes, coffee hints. My first brandy and wasn't sure what to expect - damp wood and blackcurrants round things off

Palate: Sweet oaky arrival, dried fruit, cereals, spearmint, apples and a peppery spice. Things turn a little dry, sour and herbily as the liquid disappears.

Teaninich 14yo D: 28 Apr '08, matured in refill Hogshead #900264, finished in 1st-Fill Château Margaux Barrique from Jun '21, B: 5 Oct '22, 53.8% ABV, 287 bottles

Appearance: dark gold in the glass, swirls leaves thin lines forming tiny beads which fall as slow thick legs.

Nose: Berry fruit: blackberries, strawberries, raspberries; barley sugars, tea leaves, oak, malt

Palate: Sweet berry fruit arrival, all that you get from the nose with some cinnamon and nutmeg spice. It then turns dry and tannic as the liquid disappears. Yummy!

Linkwood 12yo D: 3 Feb '10,  Full maturation in 1st-Fill Tokaji Barrel #3001290, B: 6 Oct '22, 58% ABV, 260 bottles

Appearance: mid gold in the glass, swirls leaves thin lines forming tiny beads which fall as slow thick legs.

Nose: Orchard fruit and dried fruit to start then some milk chocolate and icing sugar.

Palate: thick chewy arrival, green apples, milk chocolate, oak followed by some sweetness: honey and toffee, finishing off with a lovely peppery spice.

As was discussed on the night I can't think of another whisky which has had a full maturation in a Hungarian Tokaji sweet white wine cask?

Diamond Rum (Guyanese) 18yo D: 1 Dec '03,  matured in Barrel #63, B: 6 Oct '22, 55.5% ABV, 148 bottles

Appearance: dark bronze in the glass, swirls leaves thin lines which immediately turn into fast thin legs.

Nose: treacle, pineapple, brown sugar - all typical rum notes but with some hints of dried fruit and forest berries.

Palate: thick sweet arrival, treacle, tropical fruits, brown sugar and a bite of black pepper.

Ardmore 13yo D: 4 Jun '09,  matured in Refill Barrel #9001334, finished in 1st-Fill Mezcal Barrel from Nov '21, B: 6 Oct '22, 55.9% ABV, 213 bottles

Appearance: pale gold in the glass, swirls leaves thin lines forming small beads which fall as slow thin oily legs.

Nose: huge peat smoke notes: smoky bacon; a little salinity, sweaty cheesy socks, wet cardboard and rubber tyres. Nice!

Palate: Sweet spicy arrival, immediately smoky with dry ashy notes. Some rubber, plastic hints and some tropical fruit. The ABV is really evident for the first time tonight!

Rachel pouring a dram!