Wow! What a start with Ziegler’s 7 year, Aureum Classic 8 year, Chestnut 5 year and Cask Strength 8 year! It was such an indulgent treat to explore the range of offerings from Ziegler distillery.
We carried on with a truly special whisky “The First” celebrating 10 years of producing Aureum whisky. Of all the whiskies we tried, this was the one I thought would best commemorate our wonderful weekend together. So I bought a bottle which is patiently waiting for the right opportunity to open and share!
Aureum 1865 The First (2010) 10 year 55.5%
- Nose – Wonderfully robust, sherry berry burst, raisins, caramel and spice, ripe fruits
- Palate – Lovely nice spice, more of the rich raisins, tannins, malty
- Finish – What a delightful contrast – bubble gum and marshmallows – then shifting from sweet to nutty
I set it aside for some time and returned after tasting the next few… it had marvellous “staying power”… retaining its character.
What more do they have to say about this whisky?
The first twelve months this whiskey matures in barrels from the local Spessart oak and German chestnut. He spends another nine years in used bourbon barrels with the traditional “alligator charring”. The climate around our barrel storage facility, right on the banks of the Main, gives it its distinctive maturity. The strong alcohol content impresses with its natural sweetness and, in addition to strong malt notes, ensures dominant biscuit and vanilla tones.
- Sensory: malt sweets, honey, caramel.
- Powerful and muscular finish, sweet vanilla with oily chestnuts.
The Grave Digger range is known for being a bit ‘rock n roll’ with peat.
Aureum Grave Digger “The Bruce” Peat 8 year 43%
I have to admit that by this point, my tasting notes failed me completely! What we tried before and after were there but this one? Just remember it being quite interesting and certainly full of character!
So instead, will share what the folks at Ziegler have to say:
The lightly peated malt for THE Bruce comes from Inverness. After a 5-year aging period in ex-Bourbon barrels, the whiskey develops an inviting, malty note with peat smoke on the nose. The taste unfolds in a slightly sweet liquorice with chocolate and a smoky body. At the end you experience peat-smoky tannins, sweet and clear.
Aureum Port 8 year 68.5%
- Nose – Oh my! Dark berries, black cherries, raisins and treacle, incredibly intense with that distinctive chestnut quality too
- Palate – So so intense, incredibly dry – makes you “pucker up!” Chestnut wood and port collide in a sucker punch of flavours!
- Finish – Follows through
Given the intensity, I thought to add some water… just a few drops, then a few more… then I DROWNED it! Yes – a VERY generous dollop and wow! This whisky can certainly take it. The chestnut wood remains the base but with water it opens up – bringing the port more to the fore, balancing the palate without losing the wonderful aromas.
Aureum PX Puncheon 8 year 67.5%
- Nose – A sherry bomb, tannins, burnt caramel, hazelnuts
- Palate – Very dry – another one that makes you “pucker up” however a bit less than the Port, dark wood, spice, honey, berry, sweet strong, very full
- Finish – Long and strong
- Water – After the experience with the Port, I was generous from the start with this one! Really helps – enables it fuller, fruitier, gorgeous, rich without being over powering
What a remarkable set of whiskies to sample… Whilst I caught on bits and pieces (thanks to very kind translations). It was a huge highlight of the year.
What did we try in Ziegler Distillery Part 1:
- Ziegler 7 year Single Malt 40%
- Aureum Classic 8 year Single Malt 43%
- Aureum Chestnut Cask 5 year Single Malt 43%
- Aureum Cask Strength 8 year 53.2%
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