One consequence of gallivanting off to Amsterdam in November is I missed our monthly tasting session. However given it featured whiskies from four different countries, I convinced our host to do a special ‘make-up’ session.

What follows is a blend of the original sessions notes from another club member and mine from last night for your reading pleasure. 

Hammer Head 23 year

Hammer Head 23 years 40.7%, Czech, Pradlo distillery

• Colour – Pale
• Nose – Bright fresh citrus, dry fruits, hint of bourbon
• Palate – Mild chewy yet dry oak, a tinge of sour, lack of depth… re-tasted after 20 mins and had a flash of masala paan
• Finish – What finish?? Really nothing much at all…

Blind tasting reactions:

• Guessed may be around 40% as had no ‘punch’ on the tongue, age of around 10-12 years, likely not a blend
• Declared an evening no-nonsense malt, easy on the palette

You can be forgiven for not being instantly familiar with this single malt from the Czech republic. Back in 1989, Pradlo distillery decided it was high time to make a proud Czech single malt. With only Czech barley, water from the Bohemia region, aged in 100% Czech oak, the one concession was using a hammer mill masher from Scotland, a single batch was produced. Then the Berlin wall fell and everything changed. Any further production stopped and the distillery was more or less forgotten. Til 23 years later it was ‘rediscovered’ and commerce took over with a decision to bottle the mystery malt.

The result? A curiosity piece, great story and slice of history more than a memorable malt.

Glen Breton 10 year

Glen Breton 10 years 43%, Canada, Glenora distillery

• Colour – Light pale yellow
• Nose – Medicinal, lemon fusion
• Palate – 1^st impression is spice then a bitter turmeric – nothing else
• Finish – Slightly bitter then vanishes

Coming from Canada, we’re known for Rye whiskey blends not sophisticated malts. Touted as one of only two single malt Scottish-style distilleries in Canada, it is ‘matured’ in American oak barrels. However seems much more akin to a not so great 3 year old, certainly not a 10 year! We previously sampled this disappointing offer and were reminded – do not repeat!

Nikki from the barrel

Nikka from the barrel, no age stated 51.4%, Japan, Nikka distillery

• Colour – Warm wheat
• Nose – Plum cake, fruit basket, mild citrus aroma, bold & woody yet unmistakably sweet
• Palate – Sweet on the first sip, then slightly spicy finish, mild hint of leather and cinnamon. When returning after 20 mins – pure sweet smoothness
• Finish – Comes out to say an exuberant ‘hello!’ with sassy spice
• Water – Shot up the spice, but then settled

This blend reminds that sometimes it is worth playing around – in this case blended and then re-casked to further mature. Definitely worth trying but not a future purchasing priority.

Mortlach 15 year

Mortlach 15 years 43%, Scotland, Mortlach distillery, Gordon & Macphail

• Colour – Burnished gold
• Nose – Oily, christmas cake, overripe banana
• Palate – Dances on the tongue, dry yet somehow also with a heavy oily undertone, hint of sweetness, smoooooth
• Finish – Finally a ‘real’ finish like it never wants to let you go! Spicy

By far the most interesting of the evening and a reminder to keep grabbing the Gordon Macphail bottlings. A cross-sampling of the Mortlach and the Ledaig led to speculation that while each is distinct, there is a stamp of ‘character’ that distinguishes Gordon Macphail products.

Must say I’m glad I didn’t miss our little trip around the globe!

Glen Breton, Hammer Head, Nikka from the barrel, Mortlach

Other global tasting adventures include:

• Far East Evening – Togouchi Kiwami 40%, The Nikka 12 Year 43%, Yoichi Single Malt 45%, Kavalan “Solist” Cask No B101124001A 58.6%
• Whisky Ladies European Tour – Teerenpeli 10 year 43% (Finland), Danica NAS Unpeated 42% (Denmark), Kornog Taourac’h Trived 10 BC 46% (France), Slyrs 51 NAS 51% (Germany)
• Whisky Ladies World Tour – Forty Creek Confederation Oak Reserve 40%, Nikka Blended Whisky 40%, Oban 14 year 43%, Sheringham William’s White Double Distilled Grain 2015 45%

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