This is the latest in an occasional series about newer distilleries, this entry is about The Cairn distillery owned by Gordon & MacPhail.
History
The Cairn Distillery is owned by Gordon & MacPhail, a fourth-generation family business. Starting back in the 19th century as shop owners, they grew to be wholesalers, whisky bottlers and distillery owners. But throughout this growth, they have kept true to their origins and remain an independent family business firmly rooted in the local community.
The distillery in the Cairngorms National Park was built between 2020 and 2022, officially opening on October 18, 2022.
G&M said they wouldn't release a whisky until the 2030's but here one is as a 3yo in 2026!
Distillery notes:
The Cairn First Peek three-year-old single malt Scotch whisky is our first EVER release from the distillery. It provides a delicious snapshot of our progress so far.
This limited-edition whisky delivers rich sultana and vanilla aromas, delicious chocolate and cranberry flavours, with a mint and lime finish, and is best enjoyed in good company with great friends.
Nose: Vanilla and milk chocolate. Rich golden sultanas, fresh lime and walnuts.
Palate: Milk chocolate, with fruity cranberry and raspberry bursts followed by pepper, charred oak and cinnamon.
Finish: A spicy finish with fresh mint and lime zest.
3yo | 57% ABV | 2025 Release
My thoughts:
Appearance: dark gold in the glass, swirls cling as a thin line, take an age to bead up and fall as slow thin legs.
Nose: sherry soaked dried fruit, crème brûlée, toffee and honey. There's some milk chocolate, unsalted peanut and some gentle smoke. Give it a little time and air and you'll be rewarded with dates and figs.Palate: thick sweet arrival, immediately spicy, the ABV gives quite a kick. The sweet toffee and honey notes from the nose are here, some orchard fruit: pears, apples and peaches. It's just a bit cloying, new makey and strong. A little dilution, down to around 46% opened it up a lot, more dried fruit and sherry notes, walnuts, coffee and lemon zest. There's a lovely cinnamon spice note as the liquid disappears.Finish: Short and spicy with honey and orchard fruit.
Overall: You can tell this is a young whisky, there's a little hint of new make and a note of oak spice but diluted it's very drinkable. After jot saying they would release any whisky until it was 12 years old this is quite a come down but I guess they need to recoup some of their investment. Interesting the bottle says 2025 Release suggesting they may be more in the future?
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