41,9°
Distillery : North British - Lowlands
Refill Bourbon Barrel
Independent Bottling
By Douglas Laing & Co.
Limited Edition
Single Grain
Bottled in 2023
Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength
Totally Unpeated
As its name doesn't suggest, North British Distillery is based in Edinburgh, Scotland, where it was founded in 1885. It is exclusively a grain distillery, supplying mainly Diageo and Edrington Group blends, including Johnnie Walker and The Famous Grouse. A few independent bottlings are released each year, often very old; here we have a 35-year-old aged in a Refill Bourbon Barrel, which yielded 157 bottles.
Let's Taste It :
Various cereals, almonds, creamy vanilla, a hint of coconut, the influence of wood can be felt, with sweet spices, tinder, maple syrup. The whole is rounded and well-balanced, with sponge cake, brown sugar and soft caramel. On the palate, cereals again, toasted wheat, puffed rice, airy oats, but this time accompanied by white fruit, plums, mirabelles, bananas, Chasselas grapes. Very light spices, a pinch of cinnamon, cardamom, cloves. Long finish without being too violent, pleasant, acacia honey, buttered bread, sandy beach and a drop of sunflower oil. Chestnuts.
In Short,
This is an excellent Single Grain, very cereal-like, fruity and indulgent at times. It's exactly what you'd expect, which is as much an advantage as a drawback, as you'd also hope for a little originality. The influence of the Bourbon is very discreet, so the distillate is quite pure, ennobled by the age. On the other hand, the alcohol content is rather low and it lacks a little punch. The price is acceptable in absolute terms, but too high for those who are not absolute fans of the profile.
Score : 88
To Be Listened While Sipping :
Mae Bird - Be Here Now
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