Top 10 Whiskies of 2019 – No. 2

Suntory Hibiki Harmony Japanese Blended Whisky – 70cl 43% – £64.99

A stunning Japanese whisky at No.2, Hibiki Japanese Harmony is the perfect introduction to Japanese whisky. Pure and noble, it offers a transparency of taste that allows for all of this whisky’s complexities to be revealed simultaneously.

Nose: Aromas of marmalade, orange blossom and apricot jam, held together with a subtle spiciness, giving a hint of cinnamon and clove. Elegant.
Palate: The generous fruit continues on to the palate, with oranges and apricots in abundance. There’s a little peppery spice, but the soft, succulent fruit takes hold. Nice balance, and nicely crafted.
Finish: The spiciness takes over from the fruit and lingers, along with a little barrel char.
Comment: Something of a baby compared with much older Hibiki bottlings, this retains the classic soft, elegant orange-blossom character and generous fruitiness, with a little spice to help things along.

Slanje, Anthony

Top 10 Whiskies of 2019 – No. 3

Stalla Dhu Cask Strength Truthbetold 22 – 54.4% 70cl – £185.00

Our newest cask strength bottling comes in strong at No.3

Some famous distilleries are fiercely protective of their whiskies and adapted a process called tea-spooning; as in adding a teaspoon of another malt.

This is so ‘Independent Bottlers’ cannot call it a Single Malt or use the Distillery name.

This exceptional cask in its previous incarnations was known as ‘Wardhead’ and clues to its identity lie within the label.

Tasting Notes:
Colour: Gold, startling, shiny, sparkling
Nose: Exotic fruits, butterscotch, vanilla
Palate: Soft sophisticated spice, toffee touches, lovely lingering long finish.

Slanje, Anthony

Top 10 Whiskies of 2019 – No. 4

Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength 2019 – 70cl 57.1% – £89.99

My choice for No. 4, released late Summer 2019, this is the latest cask strength offering from Springbank distillery.

Always a popular release, this Campbeltown malt has been matured for 12 years before being bottled at 57.1% vol.

Limited to 1 per customer.

Tasting Notes:
Nose: A fruity and nutty combination; cherries, apricot jam, pistachios and toasted oats. Salted caramel and marzipan begin to emerge.
Palate: Sweet and delicious, Scottish tablet, prunes and honey. The classic Campbeltown style develops; sea salt and a light smoke coat the mouth.
Finish: A long and warming finish with honeycomb, orange marmalade andliquorice closely followed by Demerara sugar, almonds, oats andprunes.

Slanje, Anthony

Top 10 Whiskies of 2019 – No. 5

Kilchoman Bourbon 2007 Private Cask Bottling – 55.3% 70cl – £165.00

At my No. 5 we have this stunning private cask release of Kilchoman, distilled 29th January 2007 and aged for 12 years in a bourbon cask.

Bottled on the 1st February 2019 at cask strength, 55.3%.
The Kilchoman distillery is a distillery that produces single malt Scotch whisky on Islay, an island of the Inner Hebrides.

The distillery is situated on the western side of Islay, near the small settlement of Kilchoman.

Only a select few bottles are available of this stunning whisky so get yours while you can!

Tasting Notes
Nose: Bold peat and a vanilla sweetness.
Palate: Icing sugar, custard sweets and light fruits.
Finish: A touch of gentle spice.

Slanje, Anthony

Top 10 Whiskies of 2019 – No. 6

Kilkerran 8 Year Old Cask Strength 2018 Edition Single Malt Whisky – 70cl 56.5% – £45.99

Glengyle whisky distillery was opened in 2004, making it one of the very newest distilleries in Scotland. However, it is not entirely original, and is built on the site of and using some of the buildings of the old Glengyle distillery, which operated between 1872 and 1925.

Due to its youth the only Glengyle whisky currently available is aptly named the Kilkerran ‘Work in Progress’; the distillery aims to release its first official batch around 2012.

Kilkerran Single Malt is a lightly peated, double distilled whisky which is not chill filtered and has no added colouring. Maturation Recipe – 100% bourbon casks.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: This exquisite nose begins with a gentle hint of worn leather and pipe tobacco. Changing now to a much sweeter note with sponge cake, vanilla pods and clotted cream combining with some citrus and fruits in the form of key lime pie and green apple skins.
Palate: Good cask influence here with lots of sweetness from the bourbon casks. Golden syrup cake, banoffee pie and toasted marshmallows just some of the desserts you could find in this dram.
Finish: The light peat becomes more apparent on the finish, along with an earthy dunnage note typical of Campbeltown whisky. This if followed by a herbal grassy note, marzipan and grape peel.

Slanje, Anthony