Category Archives: Beyond Scotland

Nürnberg’s Ayrer’s PX Sherry 56.2%

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Near Nürnberg’s castle is a lovely brewery – Hausbrauerei Altstadhof. The central court is a delightful beer garden that features their signature red beer. Their special seasonal beers are well worth making the effort to try! It is also home to a small whisky distillery – quietly producing a range of expressions under the name Ayrer’s since 1984.

On one of my many walks to the Berg, I picked up a cask strength miniature of their PX cask from their store. A few years later, our Nürnberg Whisky Explorers quite enjoyed the Ayrer’s Alligator expression during a 2023 tasting. I kept meaning to return to the store to pick up a set of their miniatures, yet somehow simply didn’t.

When I unpacked the PX miniature in Mumbai, I was flooded with nostalgia – memories of good times in Nürnberg. And decided the perfect way to commemorate would be with a favourite tasting companion – following a pair of Indian whiskies from Paul John – thus bringing together my two homes.

Ayrer’s PX Sherry Cask 56.2% ~Eur 9 mini / Eur 79 bottle

  • Nose – Big, bold, and beautiful! There were loads of dried fruits, candied nuts, and a dusting of candy floss
  • Palate – Wow! Sweet cloves, so smooth, perfumed, nuanced, complex, and balanced
  • Finish – Sweet rose, surprisingly subtle, lingering

All the different elements came together wonderfully! What was so surprising is how it initially came on so strong, then mellowed, revealing a depth of character – even an elegance – that was unexpected. We loved it!

Curious to learn more? Here is what they have to say (roughly translated from German):

This specialty whisky was made from our organic red malt, triple distilled, and aged for over three years in new American white oak casks. For final refinement and maturation, it was transferred to ex-PX sherry quarter casks.  This sweet sherry, made from the Pedro Ximenez (PX) grape, is extracted during the intensive finishing process in these small casks, giving AYRER’s PX its unique aroma and rich colour.

AYRER´s PX – Sherry Cask

Curious to explore more from Germany or other countries in Europe? I have a whole section dedicated to European whiskies from Austria to Switzerland!

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Paul John Madeira and Port Select Casks

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There is a certain pride point discovering something “good” from your country – be it adopted or native. So when India started producing single malt whiskies that the world recognised as worthy, I fully shared the enthusiasm.

Specifically, Paul John distillery, with master distiller Michael John consistently at the helm, has produced many whiskies that deserve attention. Over the years, we’ve enjoyed their core range with Brilliance, Edited, Bold, and their original select cask expressions – Classic and Peated. We have celebrated their Christmas editions and delighted with their diverse special casks.

So when there was an opportunity to sample a new pair from their Select Cask series – specifically Madeira and Port cask-matured – I was more than happy to say yes!

Paul John Madeira Select Cask 48%

  • Nose – Lush, voluptuous, very big, prunes in liquor, chocolate – as in LOTS of chocolate, raisins, and mixed nuts, very active
  • Palate – Loads of wonderful dark, dry fruits like raisins, dates, and prunes, joined by old wood, resinous, very full and dry… quite strong… slowly easing into more cherries and figs than prunes… reminiscent of black forest cake – yet even more indulgent and rich
  • Finish – Long finish, bitter, a bit like a mulled wine concentrate, shifting into a hint of slightly salty nuttiness too
  • Rivisit – After setting it aside for some time and returning, it greeted us with a joyful, happy, almost effervescent
  • Water – We simply had to see what happened with a few drops – not bad – though we both agreed it is much better neat

There was something quite intriguing about this expression. It was quite intense, with a delightful contrast and comparison between the aromas and taste. Delicious!

What do the good folks at Paul John share in their official tasting notes?

  • Colour – Mahogany
  • Aroma – Rich cherry, delicious plum sauce, manuka honey, sweet peach and orange zest laced with caramel pudding and a dash of chocolate.
  • Palate – Sweet and creamy with luscious ripe tropical fruits, hints of salted caramel and warm roasted nuts.
  • Finish – Complex, full bodied and long finish with crisp oak.

Would we agree? For the most part – yes!

After a rather good start with the Madeira, we were primed for more Paul John with the Port!

Paul John Port Select Cask 48%

  • Nose – Unmistakable port influence! Rich, dark currents, dense and delicious. Elegant, with a sense of being more mature, mellow than the Madeira…. yet still also quite intense and concentrated… some also found cherry cough syrup, which shifted into treacle, babinca, prunes soaked in rum and topped with vanilla ice cream
  • Palate – Whilst initially a bit prickly, it quickly shifted into a “grown up” dram, dark, heavy, and well-rounded, with juicy plums and spice. There was burnt caramel, oily wood, and nicely balanced
  • Finish – Long, strong, and gorgeous – sweet
  • Water – Entirely up to you! Works beautifully without, and with kicks up to big, bold flavours at first before settling down

We found the nose, palate, and finish wonderfully in synch. It was a class act.

What more do we know from Paul John’s official tasting notes?

  • Color – Deep mahogany
  • Aroma – Enticing aromas of rich vanilla, dry resin, dark plum, red liquorice with black currants, a delightful milk chocolate, laced with brown sugar
  • Palate – Delectable flavours of candied fruit, light ginger, and a peppery nutmeg, with a trace of sweet oak.
  • Finish – Long and zesty with orange mocha and spiced chocolate.

PS – Full disclosure, I received samples of both expressions from the Paul John team. Then my tasting companion bought the Port for the Bombay Malt & Cigar lads. Pro tip? Buy in Goa (~INR 8.5k) not Mumbai (~INR 18k)!

Curious to explore more of our Paul John tasting experiences over the years? Check out:

Popular, Core range, Select casks

Special editions

Independent bottles:

And finally, some of our more memorable experiences:

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Thai Trio – Prakaan Select Cask, Double Cask + Peated

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Thailand holds a special place for my partner and I. It was where we took our first trip together, cementing a relationship that became a commitment. At the time, I certainly had a penchant for exploring whiskies, and we even spent a few days staying with friends who shared that curiosity. However, it was inconceivable that Thailand would be producing its own whisky?!

Fast forward many years to the June 2025 global launch of Prakaan with its trio “Tribuna Series” with

  1. Prakaan Select Cask 43% – ex bourbon cask
  2. Prakaan Double Cask 43% – ex bourbon and ex sherry cask
  3. Prakaan Peated Malt 43%

Prakaan shared that Tribura in Thai means the three layers of a fortified wall, built to defend the Kingdom of Thailand. These three make up their inaugural global releases.

So what did we think?

We began with the Select Cask, identified as matured in ex-Bourbon casks.

Prakaan Select Cask 43%

  • Nose – It began with a heavy, almost artificial caramel, some varnish or nail polish, then baby puke, some rough wood edges… then it began to shift from a chemist’s lab to a compost! Vegetal, increasingly sticky sweet, like a mixed fruit candy with no discernible specific fruit, think Tuti Fruiti ice cream, then some lime zest, dry balsa wood
  • Palate – Peppery and harsh initially – quite young and hard to glean much else
  • Finish – Nothing beyond a bit bitter
  • Water – Really needs it! Water helps tone down the harshness and boosts the resin

This expression needed both time in the glass and generous dollops of water. However, let’s face it – overall, it was young, a bit brash, and not terribly interesting.

Here is what they have to say :

PRAKAAN SELECT CASK single whisky is the epitome of our house style. It is rich and smooth with tropical fruits, honey, vanilla, and hints of lemon peel.

  • Nose – Soft tropical fruits and zesty citrus defined beautifully against lush honey sweetness, creamy vanilla, and comforting undertones of lemon cake.
  • Palate – Round sweetness of caramelised pineapple slices and chewy toffee, complemented with the rich perfume of freshly-ground spices and hints of candied lemon peel.
  • Finish – Mature and long-lasting with ripe fruitiness.

I’m afraid we wouldn’t agree with the marketing spin. Even with it mellowed somewhat with water and time in the glass, we didn’t find most of the elements described.

Prakaan Double Cask 43%

  • Nose – Much shyer compared with the Select Cask. Also had lots of fruits like peach and dark berries, there was a perfume-like quality, some vanilla, mixed fruit sherbert, then settled into tinned pineapple
  • Palate – Initially spicy, fruity, raisins, and caramel
  • Finish – Loads of spice, a touch bitter
  • Water – With water and time, it mellowed considerably, becoming more and more approachable and enjoyable

What a difference! The sherry cask took it from harsh to spice, baby puke to tinned pineapple… It was spirity and spirited initially, nicely opening up.

Here’s what they have to say:

  • Nose – Ripe tropical fruit smothered in layers of melting dessert chocolate and vanilla. Raisins and candied citrus peels follow, balancing this vibrant and decadent composition.
  • Palate – Rich and delicious. Pineapples in syrup and ripe mangoes underlined by elegant oaky vanilla and dark sweetness of warm toffee.
  • Finish – Full-bodied and smooth with oaky and leathery tones contrasted by a light touch of grated orange zest.

We didn’t get so much of the chocolate, however, the pineapple was spot on! Whilst I wouldn’t describe it as elegant, it was a more than decent early offering for a new distillery.

After two un-peated expressions, we were curious to see what Prakaan could do with some peat…

Prakaan Peated Malt 43%

  • Nose – Peat – the gentle, smoky, sweet kind. Though the whisky was a touch astringent, it was warming with a dark chocolate, vanilla sweetness, topped with a hint of salt
  • Palate – Roasted coffee, lots of tobacco, and an almost mocha element
  • Finish – Bitter and dry at first, then a nice smoky, slightly briney close
  • Water – Again, we would suggest adding it!

There was no mistaking the peat here. Using peated barley from Scotland, the different elements worked here. It continued to mellow in the glass – with the smoky finish particularly appealing over time.

Here is what they have to say about their peated expression:

  • Nose – Fresh tropical fruits complemented by a layer of soft wood smoke, evocative of a fire on the beach. Spices and rich vanilla sauce in the background bring elegance to this delicious bouquet.
  • Palate – Sweet and textured. Smoke comes to the fore but keeps its gentle, round quality. Caramel and runny honey follow with citrus and pineapple shining through.
  • Finish – Warming and long, the finish descends slowly from bright fruitiness to sweet smoke.
For the most part, we would agree. For several, this was the hit of the trio, though the Double Cask was interesting too. Alas, the Select Cask just didn’t measure up for us. And that is ok – the whole purpose of tasting groups like ours is to collectively explore more together than we would ever venture to try on our own!

Naturally, this trio was followed by a delightful homemade Thai curry! All in all, it was a good evening and well worth sampling!

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Gimmick or Gold? Gold Bar Whiskey 41%

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After an enjoyable evening over T’s European Travels drams, another bottle was brought out. It was a conversation piece – given as a gift from a San Francisco friend.

While the gold bar bottle is hard to miss, what about this American whiskey? Distilled from three grains (88% corn, 9% rye, 3% barley), finished in former Napa Valley wine barrels. In our case – Cognac casks with toasted oak staves. In other words – with high liquid to wood contact to extract more intense flavours fast.

Gold Bar Whiskey Blend #273 41% (82 Proof) Bottle 151370 ~USD 50

  • Nose – Smells like Valentines Day – milk chocolate and roses
  • Palate – Like the kind of waxy artificial chocolate one gets in the US
  • Finish – Nothing much

It was largely dismissed, however, after a sip or two, quiet mummerings of “not bad” could be heard.

Their official tasting notes describe it as;

Gentle body with notes of honey, fruit and subtle spice. Highly versatile and a true crowd-pleaser, delicious served neat or in cocktails.

Gimmick or not, it is always fun to try something novel.

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Whisky Ladies T’s Travels: Bruges, Sexton, Heiligen Berg Feld

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Our first Whisky Ladies session of 2026 was a brilliant example of why this tasting group first came together, and why it has lasted more than ten years! Our hostess curated an evening of carefully selected bottles from her European travels. Each bottle had a story, and none had been previously tried by any of us. In short, T’s Travels was a total treat!

We were introduced to the following:

  • The Bruges Distillery 5 year Bourbon 40% 50 cl bottle 074/134 Bought in Bruges Belgium
  • Sexton 11 year 43% Bought in Amsterdam
  • Heiligen Berg Feld 3 year Black Pearl Edition Ex-Islay/Rum Cask 60.1% Bottle 379 of 599, Bought in Germany

First up was a whisky from Brugse Whisky Company. Our hostess shared how Bruges is her favourite place in Belgium, from a small distillery that grew from a personal passion to a whisky bar to brewing. You won’t find a plethora of tasting notes as each batch is small – in our case, there were only 134 50cl bottles produced! So what did we think?

The Bruges Distillery 5 year Bourbon 40%

  • Nose – It began quite fruity, “yellow” in flavours from yellow plums to caramelized bananas. The fruits were joined by vanilla and honey, with some floral elements. Overall, it was both youthful and exuberant. As it continued to open, there was a hint of nuts – like raw soaked almonds, a touch of mosambi, and orange blossoms
  • Palate – Green peppercorns, wet wood, fresh bay leaf – a contrast to the summery aromas
  • Finish – Warming, slightly bitter, cinnamon bark, short
  • Revisit – Worth waiting and coming back! The nose evolved into a creamy, fruity teasing dessert, a banana split!

We found the nose more pronounced and interesting than the palate at first. There was something delicate about it initially, a pleasant whisky. Yet, as we returned, for many it went from being underwhelming to the favourite of the evening!

Our fabulous host shared that she picked up this Irish whisky in Amsterdam. I’ll admit it was my first time trying this whisky – with its dark amber colour – we were expecting something rich and powerful. What did we find?

Sexton 11 year ex-Oloroso 43%

  • Nose – Clear influence of the ex-Oloroso sherry cask! Sweet manuka honey, pear, muscat, figs, custard, creme brule, young pink peppercorns. The more time in the glass, the sweeter the aromas became.
  • Palate – Dusty at first, then dried plums, burnt oak, charred pineapple, iodine, and decidedly medicinal tinge
  • Finish – Sits there – medium length, some apricot, almond, dry

We debated if this would pair well with an aged cheddar – nope! However, those who sampled it with ham pronounced it a fitting match.

Whilst this whisky didn’t shine, there was nothing “off” about it either. A decent dram – potentially a solid base for a nice cocktail.

Years of living in Bavaria, yet I didn’t manage to get to many whisky distilleries peppering the region, including this one – the holy mountain field – just south west of München. Founded in 2018, they are deliberately small saying:

“This is a whisky distillery, not a whisky factory”

What did we find?

Heiligen Berg Feld 3 year Black Pearl Edition Ex-Islay/Rum Cask 60.1% Bottle 379 of 599,

  • Nose – Mild… applies, joined by the echo of a fine leather shoe, cherry, starts sweet, and shifts into bacon, peat smoke
  • Palate – Wow! Dark cherry fruit flambe, rum raisins, ashy, bay leaf, prunes, green citrus berries
  • Finish – Licorice, tobacco
  • Water – Sugar water with mirchi (peppers)!

We thought perhaps this whisky might pair well with a cigar and gajar halwa!

What an interesting trio and tribute to T’s European travels! None of us would ordinarily have a chance to try – if it wasn’t for our Whisky Ladies of Mumbai tasting group – thank you!

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The Heart Cut #18 – Thomson Manuka Smoke 50.8%

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A KIWI BONFIRE ON THE BEACH, IN A BOTTLE.

Sometimes a description draws you in… and this was clearly the case here. I’ll admit, I’m a bit partial to Thomson whisky. Rachael and Matthew Thomson have created a distinctly New Zealand set of expressions well worth exploring. To find out more, check out what the folks at The Heart Cut have to say about Thomson Distillery HERE.

What makes their “peat” so unique is their use of New Zealand manuka smoke – distinctly different from Scottish peat, yet satisfies a true peaty craving.

The Heart Cut #18 – Thomson 5 year (07 Aug 2019 – 25 Mar 2025) Ex-Bourbon 50.8% 270 50 cl Bottles

  • Nose – Mmmmmmm bacon, charred pineapple, a lovely peat-like sweet, a medicinal whiff, then a wonderful aromatic hickory smoke, followed by chocolate raisins, something a bit herbal with a hint of floral
  • Palate – A great interplay between sweet baked fruits and smoke – in perfect balance! Juicy, chewy, smooth, and well-balanced, resinous, with sweet spices of cinnamon and cloves, joined by some sauna salt
  • Finish – Long-lasting with that lovely hickory-like element

There was real substance here. A unique character that drew us back.

When I revisited it with another friend, it was even more of a hit. We really liked it – with a nice complexity, just a little bit different with each sip.

Alas, our pocket pour was gone too soon… we could have continued to sip and enjoy.

How did our experience compare with The Heart Cut couple? They shared it tastes like:

Thick, aromatic smoke rises first – charred wood, pine resin, and a balsamic note that drifts towards mesquite and sweet birch. Beneath, the fruit opens: pineapple chews, sherbet lemons, and a twist of citrus. On the palate, smoke rolls again, joined by barley sugar and a juicy hit of nectarine and overripe peach. The finish is long, layered, and balanced – sweetness entwined with lingering manuka wood smoke.

Key Takeouts: Charred Wood, Pineapple Chews, Sherbet Lemons, Barley Sugar, Nectarines

The folks at The Heart Cut shared that this whisky made the cut because

This is smoky whisky – but not as you know it. Instead of Scottish peat, Thomson uses native manuka wood (yes, the same tree better known for its honey) to smoke their malt, creating a flavour absolutely unique to New Zealand and a technique that Mat Thomson himself created! The result is oily, herbal, peppery, and deeply resinous, with layers of smoke that linger on. Just as smoke became one of Scotland’s hallmarks, manuka has become one of New Zealand’s – captured here in a single cask, giving us only 270 bottles. Ever.

We would agree on all counts! This is a special dram worth catching if you can!

Curious about the other Pocket Pours we sampled?

What about other explorations of Thomson whiskies?

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The Heart Cut #15 – Starward French Oak 54%

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Our exploration of The Heart Cut wee “pcket pours” continues! From their Barley British blend to a Pomegranate wine cask M&H, we turned our attentions to Australia with Starward.

No stranger to Starward, I had high hopes for a dynamic, red wine-influenced dram. We thoroughly enjoyed their Heart Cut #14, which featured American Oak: Starward (18 Jun 2019 / 29 Aug 2024) Fresh Red Wine Barrique – American Oak 55%

So, we had high expectations of their French Oak focused expression, described by The Heart Cut as:

OUR SECOND STARWARD CASK – THIS TIME SHOWCASING THE MAGIC OF FRENCH OAK.

Elegant and expressive, this whisky is a study in harmony between wood, wine, and whisky making. A red wine cask that delivers depth, spice, and florals in equal measure – it’s juicy, structured, and just plain delicious.

We’ve always been fascinated by the influence of oak – and this cask is a perfect example of what French oak can bring to the table. Where American oak gives lift and sweetness, French oak adds grip, spice, and structure. Paired with a fresh red wine fill, this cask delivers a beautifully layered whisky: floral and elegant up front, rich and indulgent through the middle, with a finish full of warmth and finesse. It’s Starward doing what they do best – taking what’s local, and turning it into something world-class.

On to our experience!

The Heart Cut #15 – Starward (27/08/2018 – 15/10/2024) Fresh Red Wine Barrique – French Oak 54% 312 bottles 50cl

  • Nose – Surprisingly shy at first, then a sweet spice – more specifically, Sri Lankan cinnamon stick, or for others Big Red cinnamon chewing gum, also some red licorice, cherry. It needed some time to open before revealing a sweet almond paste
  • Palate – Lovely. All the flavours come through – fruity, chocolate ginger, creme brule, almond cake
  • Finish – Big flavourful finish with cloves, though not as long as the M&H

Did we enjoy it? Certainly. Then came the temptation to add a bit of water… transformative!

  • Nose – Yes the cinnamon remained yet was joined by a delightful, gentle floral sweetness – think of fragrant cherry blossoms
  • Palate – Richer, deeper with more of the burnt toffee pudding, more candied ginger, then it became a vanilla custard cream, joined by bursts of red berries… with a light dusting of chocolate
  • Finish -Long-lasting finish – juicy and berry fruity!

Marvelous! It was like two related drams in one. We thoroughly enjoyed this expression. Even after it was set aside for some time, it retained its juicy, rewarding character. Delicious!

What more do we know? Georgie and Fabrizio shared more about the casks and its aging:

FRESH RED WINE CASKS

Starward works with casks sourced just hours away from the distillery in the Barossa Valley. Unlike most red wine casks used in whisky (which are dried before transport), these are used fresh, preserving all that juicy, rich character from the wine.

FRENCH OAK

This cask is made from French oak (where #14 was American oak), bringing spicy, grippy tannins and a deeper, more structured complexity. French oak has a tighter grain, and is used for lighter styles of wine by the previous winemakers, so the whisky takes a little longer to mature – but when it hits its stride – like this cask – it’s phenomenal.

We were clearly on a roll with The Heart Cut’s Pocket Pours:

Curious about our other experiences with Starward whiskies? Just check out a few here:

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The Heart Cut #4 – M+H Pomegranate 57%

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I’m no stranger to Milk & Honey distillery from Israel. Most notable was a masterclass at Nürnberg’s The Village in 2024. So when we spotted that The Heart Cut had a pomegranate wine cask Milk & Honey expression? It was pretty easy to hit the order button!

Here’s what they have to say about this whisky:

Israel’s first whisky distillery, M&H encapsulates the flavours and terroirs of its homeland within a bottle, and this whisky does just that. Not only is it fully matured in a pomegranate wine cask, but it’s also spent some of its time maturing in their warehouse by the Dead Sea —the lowest point on earth. A single sip of this whisky instantly transports us back to the Tel Aviv sunshine and its laid-back vibe.

What did we think?

The Heart Cut #4 M&H (26/02/2019 – 26/03/2023) Pomegranate Wine Cask 57%

  • Colour – A deep ruby red
  • Nose – Really interesting. It was strongly sherry-adjacent, sweet, syrupy, treacly, with a compelling intensity. Every once in a while, it was a bit sharp and peppery, then it would settle back into a delicious, textured tart, salty sweetness. We certainly could discern pomegranate influence, a bit of marzipan, cherries, vanilla cola
  • Palate – Burnt caramel, dry wood, then a luscious cherry pie. It was remarkably rounded, heavy, fruity, and even a bit creamy
  • Finish – It had a big, flaming finish – spicy and dry at first, a hit of bitter… a few sips later, we found it settled in, though it remained warming, also had some nice tannins, star anise

What a treat! This was distinct and delicious. The more time in the glass, the more we enjoyed it. This is the kind of whisky that intrigues and delights. A pity they are now sold out.

How did our experience compare with the folks at The Heart Cut? They describe it as SHERRY CASK LOVERS, MEET YOUR NEW FAVOURITE!

Fully matured in a Pomegranate Wine cask. Rich, viscous, and bursting with fruity intensity, a sherry-like whisky with a vibrant twist.

Tastes like:

You know the rich, fruity character you get from a Sherry cask whisky. Turn that up to 11 and layer on fresh pomegranate, baked plums, medjool dates, salted caramel, cherry pie and a thick, unctuous mouthfeel. Then you’re halfway there with this whisky.

Would we agree? Largely yes! And we were happy to have a chance to try it.

What more do we know? Georgie and Fabrizio shared more about the cask and its aging:

POMEGRANATE WINE CASK

Derived from pomegranates, pomegranate wine is an alcoholic beverage often laid to rest and mellow in oak casks. Those ripe pomegranate, roasted coffee + dried fig notes you may detect in this whisky? Yep – that’s what the cask brings to the party.

AGED BY THE DEAD SEA

From February 2021 to July 2022 this cask was relocated from M&H’s Tel Aviv warehouse to their one situated near the Dead Sea. As earth’s lowest point, the Dead Sea presents an exceptionally hot and arid environment, where temperatures frequently soar to 50°C. Within this setting, more water than alcohol evaporates from the cask due to the intense heat and dry humidity. This unique ageing process intensifies the flavour congeners within the cask, and enables it to narrate a compelling story of the diverse terroirs found across Israel.

Curious to explore more? Check out The Heart Cut’s Pocket Pours:

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The Heart Cut X – Barley English Blended Malt 46%

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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:

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The Heart Cut’s Pocket Pours – Barley, M+H, Starward, Thomson

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Valentine’s seems a fitting time to explore drams from the fabulous indie bottling team –  The Heart Cut. The 2025 Whisky Show is responsible for introducing us to them – and it was love at first pour!

We were so impressed that we walked out with 3 bottles, picked up a 4th just after the show, then decided to add another 3 bottles for our 2027 Bombay Malt & Cigar / Whisky Ladies‘joint tasting.

You would think that would be enough, right? Nope! We simply couldn’t resist adding a quartet of “pocket pours”!

My tasting companion and I sampled these on a lazy evening in Kalote – rural Maharashtra. With the sound of crickets and frogs croaking, punctuated by the occasional bark fest from our dogs and our neighbours, we thoroughly enjoyed our exploration.

A few drops remained, so I brought them back to Mumbai to taste this week with another Whisky Lady.

The links above provide an amalgam of impressions about these Pocket Pours…

And if this isn’t enough… check out the notes for our explorations at the 2025 Whisky Show! It was a bit of an around-the-world tour! From single malts to rye and spirited experiments! The casks reflected a wonderfully eclectic range – from wet red wines to ex-Islay, 250+ year old European oak to new American oak. And the biggest surprise? A Californian Ale Cask! Here are the expressions we experienced:

** Identifies the bottles purchased for a Bombay Malt & Cigar / Whisky Ladies‘ future flight.

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