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!
Tasting Bro's 