Scotch goes to Alabama

“Winter Worries Wane With Whisky” Let’s test this theorem with a whisky experiment. By the time we complete the sixth stage of this experiment, I believe that you won’ t be thinking about the weather. We haven’ t featured one of better aperitif drams in 4 years, so it’s time to call on Benromach Traditional single malt. From the Speyburn, let’s try the 10- year which is one of its hard-to-find core elixirs. We haven’t had Deanston since 2021. I’ve selected its 12-year-old which is a tasty 46.3% ABV whisky that is finished for several weeks in toasted virgin oak casks, a rather unique approach. Mannochmore is among the most underrated distilleries in Speyside. Although the same size as the well-known Balvenie and Clynelish, only a tiny portion of its single malt is bottled. Why? Because Diageo uses most of its output for blending Johnnie Walker, Haig & Haig, and Old Parr.

Let’s go with a 46% ABV 16-year-old from the good folks at Gordon & MacPhail. Over my 14-year Atlanta residence, I’ve notice that the most popular SM are Oban, Highland Park, and Talisker. We will give Highland Park 12-year a go. Now for a big ending with the star of the show being Ardbeg Heavy Vapours. I’ve chosen the 2023 Committee Release at cask strength (50.2% ABV). They have turned-off the purifier (a sort of pre-condenser) at the top of their Spirit Stills for this experimental endeavor as they wanted to allow a greater portion of the heavier vapors to escape from the top of the still (rather than being cooled by the purifier and dropping back down for further distillation). By all accounts, the experiment was a resounding success as the demand for its Heavy Vapours bottling is quite strong. I am quite happy with this flight and hopeful that it will create synergies whereby the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

So, do join us and bring a friend, because “good whisky is made great when shared among friends.”

WHISKY MENU

1. BENROMACH Single Malt / ‘Traditional’ / NAS / 40% ABV / OB / Dist
Owner: Gordon & MacPhail / Speyside (Findhorn)

2. SPEYBURN Single Malt / 10-Year / 43% ABV / OB / Dist Owner: Inver House
Distillers Ltd. (International Beverage Holdings Ltd./Thai Beverage PLC) /
Speyside (Rothes)

3. DEANSTON Single Malt / 12-Year / 46.3% ABV / NCF / OB / Dist Owner:
CVH Spirits Ltd (Capevin Holdings) / Highland (Southern)

4. MANNOCHMORE Single Malt / 1990 Vintage (16-Year) / 46% ABV / NCF /
IB: Gordon & MacPhail (Connoisseurs Choice range) / Dist Owner: Diageo
Scotland Ltd. (Diageo plc) / Speyside (Lossie)

5. HIGHLAND PARK Single Malt / 12-Year / 43% ABV / OB / Dist Owner:
Edrington Group Ltd. (Robertson Trust) / Island (Isle of Orkney)

6. ARDBEG Single Malt / Committee Release: 2023 – ‘Heavy Vapours􀀘 Limited
Edition / NAS / CS 50.2% ABV / NCF / OB / Dist Owner: LVMH (Moët
Hennessy Louis Vuitton S.E.) / Islay (Kildalton)