What with the holiday hubbub behind us it seemed like a fine time to gather the lads for the first nosing of the 2025 season (our 9th I believe). The team congregated by the fireplace on the eve of Robbie Burns to sample three fine examples of what a little steam, water, peat, barley, ingenuity and old barrels can produce. Not a haggis in sight. The libations had been gifted to me in celebration of my 70th year on the planet… (which in Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica would actually have been some mean feat …. now….meh).
So …play ball!
In lead off position was an excellent Hibiki Suntory Masters Select… a BLEND (quiet please) of 10 spirits, from 3 distilleries matured in 5 casks… for some undisclosed time, somewhere, I think. A solid hit off the first pitch… man on first.
Second up (I hope the reader understands this is a baseball metaphor, allegory ??) was a First Editions Hunter Laing & Co., Dailuaine 2007. Another yummy example of a 12 year old cask strength Speyside. A solid double… two aboard. Runners at 2nd and 3rd.
Batting third in the early cleanup position was a 21 year old Benromach handmade Speyside. Whammo …. a line drive right out of the park… 3 runs scored.The crowd goes wild!
With that we resorted to making sure our first impressions were still accurate, sampling the cheese and chocolate, solving most, if not all the world’s problems, pontificating on the meaning of life, death and everything.
Game over!
Round 1: Hibiki Suntory Whisky – Japanese Harmony Master’s Select
| Cost: $250 CDN | Region: Japan |
Fun Facts:
- This limited-edition release comprises rare malt and grain whiskies matured in different casks, including Japanese Mizunara oak. As always, that elegant Hibiki style shines in the bottle and packaging, making this a remarkable gift for a Japanese whisky whisky lover.
NSC Comments:
- Colour: Amber to Straw
- Nose: Nutty, Strong, Floral, Spicy, Citrus
- Palate: Creamy, Fruity, Floral, Oily, Nutty, Smooth
- Finish: Short (almost unanimous)
- Drinkability: 6.8,7.0,7.0,7.8,7.8,7.5,7.2,8.0
- Notes: Vanishes quickly, but quite good.
- Very nice offering.
Round 2: Dailuaine 2007 First Edition
| Cost: $350 CDN | Region: Speyside |
Fun Facts:
- Dailuaine had its own steam locomotive, which is now preserved on the Strathspey Railway at Aviemore.
NSC Comments:
- Colour: Dark Oak to Mahogany
- Nose: Floral, Citrus
- Palate: Smooth, Powerful, Oily
- Finish: Long, Honeyish
- Drinkability: 8.5,8.3,8.0,8.0,6.8,8.0,8.0,7.7
- Notes: Makes my tongue sweat in a good way.
- So smooth for such a high strength. Nice for the octane level.
- Loved it with water. Water enhances the flavours. H2O really opens it.
Bonus Round: Benromach 21 Year Old
| Cost: $450 CDN | Region: Speyside |
Fun Facts:
- A well-aged Benromach, what a treat! A duo of first-fill sherry and bourbon casks housed this one for over two decades, until it was bottled at 21 years old.
NSC Comments:
- Colour: Mahogany
- Nose: Fruit, Floral, Marmalade, Citrus
- Palate: Creamy, Smooth, Oily, Coffee, Fruit, Powerful
- Finish: Medium
- Drinkability: 8.0,8.0,9.5,8.0,8.5,8.5,9.2
- Notes: A beautiful drink. A great scotch
- Complex – to be appreciated