Regions of Scotland (without Speyside)

DW, JE, EP, and I popped up at the Auld Alliance last night without any particular drink in mind that we wanted to try. As luck would have it, we ended up doing a mini-tour of Scotland, with Speyside the only missing region. But I think we've had several Speysides recently, including the reviewed Speyside party, so I think we're well covered on that front.

The representatives are:
Highlands: Blair Athol 12, from the Flora and Fauna series
Lowlands: Dalwhinnie Distiller's Edition 1995
Islands: Isle of Jura 16
Islay: Caol Ila 2006/2015 ("World Whisky of the Year", independent bottling by Auld Alliance)

There was also a Kilchoman Machir Bay at the table, but I've already reviewed that here with not substantial changes, except perhaps I now think that the Kilchoman's style is like a cross between Bruichladdich and Caol Ila.

This post will only cover the Blair Athol and Isle of Jura. The Dalwhinnie and Caol Ila will be in the next post!

And with that, on to business.

Highlands: Blair Athol 12 (Flora and Fauna, abv. 43%)

Nose: This one noses like a sherried whisky. There's sherry, leather, and a big nuttiness - almonds and walnuts, I believe. It is slightly salted, and strong malty notes rise up after the first whiff. Pretty pleasant nose, especially with the abundance of nuts.

Palate: Light oranges. Dusty orange peels. Some leather, sherry, and a bit bitter. There's also a bit of early grey tea in this, I think. That'll make it a little floral, a little perfumed, and tea tannins. Texture wise, this is a fat, oily mouth feel. After holding it for a while, this turns a little metallic and the minerals show up a little.

Finish: Fairly long. Some light smoke, a bit of cinnamon spice, more tea, and more tea tannins, though this would be closer to black tea than earl grey. So, more bitter, less perfume/floral notes.

Overall: Pretty nice and layered, but this won't feel like a highland malt to people who're more used to Glenmorangie.



Islands: Isle of Jura 16 (abv 40%)

This is a standard bottling of the Isle of Jura, aged for 16 years.

Nose: Salty, almost like oysters. Smokey as well, and a touch of what feels like grain whisky - vanilla, and a sweetness that is almost like honey/overripe apples, or, heaven forbid, rye. But it's just a touch, mind. Not overpowering. Whew.

Palate: Salty and slightly peated. There's vanilla and coconut on the palate. This was aged in a bourbon cask, I assume? Mm. Smoked fish? Fairly oily. Not as much as the Blair Athol, but still fairly oily and coats the mouth properly. Oak grows as time goes by.

Finish: Short, salt, pepper, and a strong oak presence.

Overall: Short notes, and probably my second least favourite of the night.