My tasting companion and I have been on a bit of an English whisky journey – from Cotswolds to The English Whisky Company, Fielden to Lakes Distillery and Wire Works…, However, a blend of five English distilleries? Nope!
Yet this is exactly what The Heart Cut did for their Barley blend, described as:
Five distilleries, one small-batch English Blended Malt. Bursting with the flavours you told us you love in whisky – summer fruits, vanilla cream, and a touch of spice.
What did we think?
The Heart Cut x BARLEY English Blended Malt Whisky 46%
- Nose – Lots of fresh grains initially, then strawberries, light with a hint of spice, shifts between jammy fruits and agricole hay, finally settling on red berries and cherries
- Palate – Spicy cinnamon buns! There is a kick at first.. then the spice is joined by delicious berries and cream – yum!
- Finish – Initially, we thought it was light and short. However, with a revisit, it stayed with a tingly peppermint spice
- Water – Softens the spice, enhances the cinnamon buns – now buttery slathered in creamy icing, joined by strawberries and raspberries
- Revisit – Oh, give this one time, and you will be rewarded! Say hello to an enticing strawberry shortcake. Now we get the full gamut of summer fruits, and indeed vanilla cream, with the spice balanced with the sweet
Really rather interesting. There were many elements at play here, yet they all came together in the end! Particularly if one is patient and sets it aside for a bit.
Here is what The Heart Cut team had to say for flavour highlights: Strawberry jam, Thick vanilla cream, Cinnamon buns, Fresh raspberries, Orange blossom
FLAVOUR DEEPDIVE
Barley opens with bright, juicy red berries – strawberry jam and fresh raspberries – followed by a generous wave of thick vanilla cream. Gentle baking spice brings warmth through the mid-palate, before orange blossom lifts the finish with a soft, floral freshness. Rich, vibrant and beautifully balanced, this is English whisky designed to be delicious first and foremost.
Would we agree? On this one, not entirely, yet it was a great start to our evening of The Heart Cut’s Pocket Pours:
- The Heart Cut x BARLEY English Blended Malt Whisky 46%
- The Heart Cut #04 – M&H (26/02/2019 – 26/03/2023) Pomegranate Wine Cask 57%
- The Heart Cut #15 – Starward (27/08/2018 – 15/10/2024) Fresh Red Wine Barrique – French Oak 54%
- The Heart Cut #18 – Thomson (07/08/2019 – 25/03/2025) Ex-Bourbon 50.8%
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