Batch 33 Scrumptious! (Malt of the Month) (Heresy)

Description

From the team

The times they are a-changin’ in whisky. Rewind 10 years ago, and the idea of allowing ex-Calvados casks to be used in the maturation of Scotch whisky was forbidden and sacrilege. That kind of flavour would certainly be against the rules of what makes Scotch, Scotch. Fast forward to 2026 and we’re now not just permitted to use these wonderful casks, but even encouraged to bring these flavours to life!

Scrumptious is in our Heresy range and is a bit older than you’d be used to seeing from this special range; a single malt whisky bottled at a very drinkable 50% ABV, with extra maturation from specially-sourced STR Calvados barriques.

What is Calvados? In a nutshell, it’s a premium French apple or pear brandy that originates from the Normandy region. It is produced from fermented cider which then ages in oak barrels for anywhere between 2 and 100 years!

Don’t miss this absolutely apple-soaked single malt as our Malt of the Month, where the price will move back up if not sold out by the end of the month.

Tasting Panel notes

A visit to several cooperages in France inspired the Whisky Team to source calvados-seasoned STR barriques from our friends at Alter Oak. We entrusted the casks with a 15-year-old Speyside single malt, previously matured in ex-bourbon wood; the spirit absorbing earthy and apple cellar aromas as well as notes of rancio and tobacco. For the final result of combining bourbon-matured whisky with the calvados casks, think delectable apples and custard. We’re proud to present to you this elegant addition to our Heresy range. At first nose we marvelled at the array of dried apricots, toffee apples, and tarte tatin with custard laid out before us on a table covered in hay. Digging into this end-of-harvest buffet, flavours of overaged white wine and honey sponge cake mingled with stewed apples, mace and woodruff balanced the initial velvety texture carrying the weight of leaf mulch and tobacco. Imagine a stroll through a Highland forest on a dry autumn day. With a bit of water a metamorphosis took place, unearthing scents of lemon zest, cognac, stewed plums and cherries, as well as white chocolate madeleines made with orange-flavoured French brandy liqueur. To taste it was dark and fruity, with citrus, chipotle chilli, tobacco and cassia bark held in orbit around a tannic backbone. Enjoy this grown-up dram for your autumn forest meanderings and contemplative moments.