🥃 Whisky Auctioneer

I’m continuing to get rid of bottles that I don’t like very much to make room for others I’ve been wanting to try for quite some time. Today it’s this Fettercairn’s turn. A whisky that I just don’t quite like and that I’m going to give to someone who does. Before getting rid of it, I think it’s worth breaking my rule of not reviewing a bottle before finishing it. It is similar to Arran Barrel Reserve and Glenglassaugh Sandend, two other whiskies in which tropical and spicy notes dominate and that I don’t particularly like either. It’s worth mentioning that I picked up this bottle for two reasons: because I really liked Fettercairn 12, despite it being a 40% whisky, and because I wanted to explore the influence of rye whisky on Scotch. In any case, let’s see what it has to offer: On the nose, it is extremely tropical (piña colada, coconut milk, banana, lime) and very peppery, almost one-dimensional, if it weren’t for those typical Fettercairn notes (vanilla ice cream, freshly baked cookies, butter pastries), together with slightly herbal and fresh notes, and some icing sugar, plus a touch of honey over a very powerful background of hot spices. The distillery’s DNA is clearly present. On the palate, it is surprising how spicy, bitter, astringent and citrusy it is, even showing acidic notes. Totally overwhelming. First, a huge amount of young and spicy oak; then everything becomes dominated by sour pineapple, grapefruit, the piercing freshness of mint chewing gum, and the heat of pepper and ginger. As it leaves, it is also bitter, like black coffee or bitter mandarin, and tannic, like red wine. Lots of lemon juice, with vanilla and more orthodox fruity notes such as pear. In the mouth it produces an aggressively unapproachable sensation, in my opinion. Very, very sharp and completely unbalanced. It doesn’t want to be drunk. The finish is also very dry, spicy, acidic and tropical. Ginger, sour pineapple, tons of hot pepper (practically hot-sauce levels), mountains of virgin wood and lemon juice, mango, banana, pineapple, pear and apple. Plenty of tannins from the wood. The more you drink it, the more acidic, bitter, spicy and astringent it becomes, until it is practically unbearable. A tropical and spicy bomb, very bitter, astringent, acidic, woody and fresh. It doesn’t feel like a whisky matured in first-fill casks, but rather in virgin oak. Probably just another product of the contemporary trend of the bourbonization of Scotch. Although it is undoubtedly a good whisky for those who appreciate this profile, it is simply not a profile that I appreciate at all. The piercing tropical notes, as fresh as they are citrusy, the young oak that is extremely spicy and astringent, the excessive bitterness, the dryness… combined with the total lack of sweetness typical of bourbon; it just doesn’t work for me. Although the aroma is kind of nice, every time I take a sip I regret having been seduced by the nose, because on the palate, at least for me, it hurts. Exploring this whisky makes me realize that I don’t appreciate it when a whisky fails to compensate mouthfeel sensations with corresponding flavours. I don’t like it when a whisky leaves you with all these harsh sensations (acidic, bitter, dry, spicy) while at the same time having such a one-dimensional profile that it cannot balance them out. It will be better off in the hands of someone who can enjoy it.

It has mango and a little banana on the nose with a spicy palate mixed in with apple, very faint lemon zest and icing sugar. A bit rough and ready but interesting all the same and the finish is pretty decent and steals the show.

Smell: Cream caramel, green apple, blossom honey, lime, raw cake batter and spicy notes. Taste: Apple again and some bananas, slight acidity, malt comes through, very spicy on the tongue. Finish: Medium length, slightly tart citrus fruits and spice. Conclusion: The smell and the taste are similar, it is not very complex and shows quite spicy notes, but it is very fresh and easy to drink.

The second whisky in the Warehouse 2 series. 28% rye whisky casks, 62% Bourbon barrels.

Milk chocolate, vanilla apricots and honey. Very tasty, lots of good vibes in this dram (tasted blind), would buy a bottle. The palate also brings along pineapple and coconut.

Reminds me of blossom honey on the nose, maybe summer honey. Wonderfully fresh and spicy on the palate at the same time. Now for the summer, in my eyes, a wonderful dram.

Nose: Banana and ice candy are very dominant, a slightly herbal note in the background and a little honey. Nice, complex with a little sweetness Mouthfeel: unfortunately a slight astringency that only lingers briefly in the mouth. Otherwise relatively mild and dry. Taste: Chocolate, sweetness, the fruit is more reminiscent of apples and fruit gums. Oak and spicy notes also come through. Finish: oak notes alternate with a slight sweetness, fruit notes also come through again and again. Long and beautifully dominant finish. Unfortunately the barrel notes / tannins are too strong for my taste

Oily barley, tropical fruits, oak spices.

The wine barn - 06/15/2023 - 75€

Tasted in the 1920 Blenders glass. Delicious, fruity whisky.

Banana Fettercairn is one such distillery that doesn't often appear on my radar, but still occasionally delivers gems (we have bottled a Fettercairn with MMM for a reason). I remember being able to enjoy the first Warehouse No 2 release. Wondering if this Batch 2 is also to my liking. Fresh nose on apples, honey, vanilla, and a single slice of lime. Overripe banana. Very fruity, but at the same time very light. Doesn't bother in the least. Some late coconut milk. The body is a bit on the light side. Vanilla and banana are noticed first, followed by honey and something that reminds me of lemon pie. Now the first wood spices appear, which ensures a good balance. The finish is medium-long and fruity (again that banana), but then gently becomes dry. Fine malt, though. And fairly priced. About 65 EUR.

84+

Aroma Fruity sweetness, honey, caramel, sour, some wood spice The taste Creamy, sweet, fruity, caramel, spicy finish Medium, sweet, mandarin, spices Tendency towards 87

Franzbrötchen, tropical fruits, nuts and coffee. Great!

Tropical fruits, buttery, sweet with a pleasant spiciness. No real weaknesses and very drinkable

It's very correct, but you can largely skip it anyway.