Enigma 2008 Campbelton Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 15 yo

 

 

 

48,2°

Distillery : Springbank, Glengyle - Campbeltown

Bourbon Hogsheads

Independent Bottling 

By William Cadenhead Limited 

Limited Edition 

Blended Malt

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Slightly Peated

 

 

 

The origin of this Blended Malt is not really an enigma, it's 15 year--old Hazelburn and 16 year-old Kilkerran, all matured in Bourbon Hogsheads, it gave exactly 3306 bottles, and Whiskybase says it's cask strength, which is surprising, because the amount of alcohol is a bit low. Under the name of Enigma, Cadenhead intends to build a series of whiskies that are 'unusual, hard to quantify, perhaps even slightly contradictory', as it says on the bottle.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It is silky, soft and well-balanced, with vanilla and yellow plums, a drop of honey. Some iodine and maritime hints, but discreet. Slightly spicy and bushy. But nothing particularly remarkable. On the palate, it's herbaceous, a bit light, though well-made, very smooth, flawless but with no real character, it's crystalline, on yellow apples and a few other orchard fruits. Austere spices. A dash of caramel. The finish, on the other hand, is fine and strong, playing muscles for quite a long time, with earth, chestnuts, humus, cloves and cardamom. A leaf of eucalyptus.

 

In Short, 

I always have a bit of trouble with blends, as I find that they often lose the character of the distilleries used. And that's what seems to be happening here. The nose is fine, but there's nothing really special about it, and the palate lacks thickness, it doesn't make you want to drink it. Fortunately, the strong finish makes up for it a little, but it won't be enough for me.

Score : 86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Enigma - Return to Innocence