Our explorations of That Boutique-y Whisky Co at the London Whisky Show continued… still in a rather European vein with:
- The Netherland’s Millstone 25 years (2022) Batch 5 46.5% (TBWC)
- Germany’s Elsburn 7 years (2022) Batch 3, 48.7% (TBWC)
- France’s Armorik 8 years (2022) Batch 3, 59.5% (TBWC)
As part of their special 10th Anniversary celebrations, TBWC turned to the Dutch Millstone distillery with a 25-year dram!
Millstone 25 years (1996/2022) Olorosso Cask, Batch 5, 46.5% Bottle 141 of 380, Approx GBP 300
- Nose – A dark spicy mulled wine, then shifts into a sherry bomb of figs, dark cherries, and raisins, yet elegant, sweet toffee, coffee cream
- Palate – Exceptional! Very unique as clearly no Scottish sherry dram. Both sweet caramel and dry, beautifully balanced.
- Finish – Long and lingering, clearly showing its age, soft prunes
This was a remarkable whisky – such a character, something else entirely!
Alas, I couldn’t find the informative and often entertaining additional information or tasting notes from TBWC.
We moved from The Netherlands to Germany… again a different distillery than we’ve explored to date! What fun!
Elsburn 7 years (2022) Batch 3, 48.7% RRP GBP 130
- Nose – Deceptive… initially light sunshine with depth beneath
- Palate – So crazy sweet! Then just like the nose, some wood and other elements combine with the dessert dram
- Finish – Lovely
We could definitely see the influence of the dessert wine cask. Just the quick sniff and swish definitely didn’t do justice to this whisky. well worth keeping an eye out to explore further if and when an opportunity arises!
Here’s what the folks at TBWC have to say:
There’s a focus at Elsburn, for using the highest quality casks available, the vast majority of casks are first fill, and only used once.
Our seven year old hails from an ex-Rivesaltes dessert wine cask, and has been bottled at natural cask strength.
The angels take a hefty share of 10%+, thanks to a killer combination of warehouse ventilation regulations, high altitude and warm summers. Whisky regulations are strict in this German region, so much so, that their spirit safe is kept under lock and key. In fact, there are 100+ padlocks in the distillery securing every possible opening.
Up until September 2019 this distillery was known as the Glen Els Distillery, but objections from the SWA forced them to change their name, as Glen could be mistaken for a Scotch Whisky – I really don’t think that was ever their intention, but hey ho…
And their official tasting notes?
- Nose – Sweet honey and roasted nuts; almonds and pistachio. It reminds me of pink and white, nougat. Dried fruits follow; raisins, prunes, and dried apricot. Stunning!
- Taste – Rich, and another wonderfully balanced Elsburn. Walnut oil, almond butter, and spicy wood. Leather, cocoa and plenty of dried fruits. Long spicy finish. I love this!
Next up? Why a wee jaunt across to France… this time to a more familiar distillery from Bretagne – Armorik.
Armorik 8 year (2022) Batch 3, 59.5% 355 bottles, RRP GBP 75
- Nose – Salted butter and caramel joined by orchard fruits
- Palate – Hint of smoke, peppery, yummy, lots of stewed apples, cinnamon apple crisp
- Finish – Soft and sweet
- Water – Needs a few drops to open up, a dash brings out the fruits even more!
We had a positive impression of this Armorik – even though it was just a short sniff & swish through the fabulous European whiskies on offer!
Here’s what the folks at TBWC have to say:
We’re heading back to France for another single cask from the Warenghem distillery. This 8 Year Old Armorik has been matured in an ex-Chouchen (mead) cask. Bottled at Natural Cask Strength (NCS) 59.3% abv we’re expecting to get around 355 bottles from this cask.
And their tasting notes:
- N: Rich caramelised orchard fruits, baking spices; nutmeg, black pepper and a hint of cinnamon, with a charred wood, and a honey sweetness. Complexe et intéressant
- P: Big and bold! A honeyed sweetness, balanced by rich oak spices. Baked apples charred oak, oiled leather, with hints of ginger. Long spicy finish. Très bien!
So then… where did our whisky wanderings take us next?? A secret Speyside, then a brief step away from whisky to a Calvados, and then on to some brilliant blends…
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