Claxton's 4yo Holyrood

This year's Kendal Whisky Festival was, as usual, a brilliant event, there were 3 or 4 drams that stood out for me. A trio after their brand ambassador called me over saying "Brian - I've something for you to try"

We've all heard this and the results aren't always good! For 3 drams in particular they were good and and I managed to get samples to try in a more relaxed atmosphere. The second was Claxton's 4yo Holyrood.

Martin always brings some interesting drams to festivals and for Kendal he chose this 4yo from Holyrood. I tried it and was impressed then begged a sample to try at home in more peaceful settings.

Bottler notes:

This 4-year-old whisky is "Heavily Peated" from Holyrood Distillery. 

 

Finished in a PX Sherry Quarter cask, this is a rich dram, full of syrup and dessert notes. Despite the name "Heavily Peated", this is a sweet, smoky dram rather than big peat. 

Nose: Cheesecake. Apricots in syrup. Fudge. Cocoa.
Palate: Sweet and full of dessert notes; custard, cheesecake, cream.
Finish: A long and lingering sweet finish with fruit and sweet smoke.

56.5%

Martin explained the maturation process:

"I moved the liquid from its original cask at 1 year old and moved it (re-racked) into good refill casks. Octave 55l and 1/4 cask 125l. I kept an eye on them until they were ready to bottle and the octave was bottled at 3yo. The 1/4 at 4yo. It’s amazing what young great spirit can achieve when matched with great wood and maturation."

Let's see what it's like.... 

Appearance: Dark gold in the Glencairn, swirls cling as a thin line take an age to bead and fall as slow thick legs.

Nose: 'thick' dark berries, bonfire toffee and gentle smoke. There's a lovely poached pear note where the caramel has 'caught' on the bottom of the pan.

Palate: thick sweet arrival, 'dark' again, dried fruit, figs, dates and prunes - there's a lovely honey sweetness and some drying apricot skins. A gentle crystallised ginger sweet spice left on the tongue as the liquid disappears. A little time and air, a few more sips and I get spiced orange marmalade, dark chocolate, liquorice and a little cinnamon spice.

Finish: Lingering dark fruit, orange marmalade, cinnamon spice and gentle smoke.

Overall: WOW - just on one taste this was my favourite of the Kendal Festival, a couple more from the generous sample Martin gave me and this could easily be dram of the year. Where can I buy a bottle?