Those are 2 recent releases. I really wanted to try it as most of the time I’m not a big fan of NAS or really young whisky so let’s give those a try!
Glenmorangie “A Tale of Cake” 2020 (46%, OB, Tokaji Dessert Wine Cask Finish)
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Yellow fruits jam, peach, vanilla, floral notes, honey, wood and sweet spices.
Mouth: The alcohol integration isn’t bad but for a 46% it could have been better. Honey (a lot), spices, freshly cut peaches, lemon zest, wood and orange peels.
Finish: Medium. It’s really warm. Pepper, spices, peaches and leather.
It’s quite good, to be honest I was expecting a disaster with an already very sweet distillate and a finish in sweet wine but everything gone fine! It’s very sweet (a bit too much but I was fearing it’ll be way more) and easy to drink.
Score: 85
Ardbeg 5 yo 2020 “Wee Beastie” (47.4%, OB, Ex-Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry Casks)
Colour: Straw.
Nose: Tary peat, citruses, lemon peels and brine.
Mouth: The alcohol integration is perfect. Wood smoke, tary peat, a lot of lemons and some bourbon-y roundness. Then appears some peer notes, passion fruits and even more lemons. Really nice..
Finish: Long. Citruses, wood smoke and tary peat.
Everything is very gently balanced, it’s quite round. I’m quite impressed, that’s a very good 5 yo!
Score: 88
I’m pleasantly surprised by those two bottlings in general but the Ardbeg was clearly superior and also way more balanced. I’m impressed by this “wee beastie” but there is still something strange.
It’s quite the opposite of a beast, everything was balanced and round and integrated, not very bestial to say the least, what a strange name for that great young peater!
