71.92 And to begin …

Description

Distillery 71 is another one of those “un-sexy” distillery codes — meaning it hasn’t received any internet hype from the blogs or the influencers, and its OB range is…well, there is no OB range. Most of what this Speyside distillery produces goes into blends (predominantly Ballantines), so for it to appear in a panel-approved SMWS bottle is so exciting, especially in one of our favourite Flavour Profiles — Spicy & Dry! True to its flavour profile, the nose carries some savoury dryness to it whilst the palate will reveal a juicy sweetness and warmth that makes the flavours of this 13-year-old Speysider quite unique and one to keep an eye on this November…

The Panel noted shoe leather, wood polish, varnished pine furniture and sandalwood at first nosing, plus lanolin, citrus piths, molten butter and a touch of cask char. With water we found it became more complex, with subtle impressions of heather flowers, toasted soda bread, aged dry riesling and toasted acorns. The palate was akin to juicy custard made with dessert wines, rapeseed oils, mustard powder warmth and wee notes of clove and coconut. Reduction brought firmer tones of corn starch and fresh linens, alongside oatcakes with salty butter, jasmine tea and pumpkinseed oil. A few green orchard fruits came through in the aftertaste.