North British 1991 Zn09 Cyberpunk

 

 

 

45,6°

Distillery : North British - Lowlands

1st Fill Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By Mava Spirit

Limited Edition 

Single Grain 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

It's been a long time since I've had the pleasure of tasting something from Zero Nine Spirits, a French bottler specialising in rum, but which also produces whisky. This one is a North British, a distillery located in the Gorgie district of Edinburgh, which produces only grain whisky. According to several websites, it has been aged for 32 years, but this is not specified on the label. The label may contain an error, as some show a bottling date of 2023, while others show 2024. A total of 244 bottles were produced.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

At first a bit waxy, the it is incredibly floral with light fruit, liquid honey, ripe white plums, mirabelles, greengages, Frécinette bananas, rose petals, tulips, dahlias, coconut, papaya, melon. It is also airy, with hints of barley sugar and caramel sweets. On the palate, it is smooth and fruity, creamy vanilla, orange zest, guava, a few woody notes, infinitesimal spices. The finish is long, almost explosive, the fruit becomes candied, vanilla icing, cooked parsnips, fennel, very delicate bitterness.

 

In Short, 

You don't recognise Single Grain here, there's no cereal profile or wood glue. It's particularly floral and fruity, very refined, and with a lovely long finish despite the low alcohol content. A total success if you ask me, and at a very attractive price. I'm even considering buying some, even though it's not at all my cup of tea usually. 

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                           Phaeleh - The Mist

North British 1988 Xtra Old Particular 35 yo

 

 

 

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 - Courage