Henstone Red Range Batch 2

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 first was Henstones' new Red Range bottling.

I tried the first Red Range release at Southport Whisky Festival in the summer, this time Chris chose Kendal to release his new bottling.

The first Red Range release was ex-red wine cask matured, finished in an ex-peated cask, this release has been in the wine cask for four years followed by a finish in ex-rum casks.

Distillery notes:

Batch two of our highly anticipated and exclusive Red Range, a collection that will showcase innovative maturation techniques and bold flavour profiles.

Bottled at 50.5% this single malt has been matured in a carefully selected red wine cask for over four years. 

It has then been finished in an ex-rum cask which introduces a soft sweetness that adds an indulging finish to an exquisite initial flavour. 

My thoughts:

Appearance: Dark reddy gold in the Glencairn, swirls cling as a thick line, bead up slowly and  fall as slow thin legs.

Nose: huge hedgerow berry notes to start: strawberries, raspberries and redcurrants; there's a little honey and a hint of dry icing sugar. The Henstone character toffee, vanilla and milk chocolate are here too. A little time and air offers pineapple cubes.

Palate: thick mouthcoating arrival, it's sweet but not overly so: honey and berries and a little of the pineapple from the nose. The raspberries, strawberries and redcurrants from the nose are joined on the tongue by blackberries and blueberries. A bite of peppery spice as the liquid disappears and dry oak tannins left in the mouth. It's very dry meaning you need to take another sip immediately. A little time and air offers a little more of the rum inspired pineapple notes and drying icing sugar.

 

Finish: lingering red berries, sweet honey, a little spice and gentle dry tannin notes.

Overall: I've always loved red wine cask drams but have never been keen on rum - it's always come over as too sweet. With this dram Chris has balanced the finished really well - loads of berry notes from the wine, a little spice with the rum notes balancing the dry tannins. Yummy!