A few months ago we were in conversation with Gleann Mòr (The Rare Find) about doing an exclusive release for HopScotch and Liverpool Whisky Club, and after telling them what sort of style we were looking for, they sent out a few samples for us to try.

A few of us tried the samples blind, and we all independently came to the conclusion that dram number 1 was the favourite and was exactly what we were after.

Dram number 1 turned out to be a Royal Brackla that was distilled in 2011 and left to mature for 13 years in a refill ex-Bourbon cask. It has been bottled at 60.92%ABV (Cask Strength), and the outrun was just 120 bottles. Around 70 of these have been allocated for the members of Liverpool Whisky Club and HopScotch stock, meaning that there are only about 50 bottles remaining.

Why did we pick this cask? We are big fans of elegant, natural, yet characterful whiskies, that haven’t had too much wood…think ex-Bourbon Clynelish, Hazelburn, Dailuaine, Pulteney, etc. This release really ticked all the boxes!

Here are our combined tasting notes:

Nose: lemon drizzle cake, green mango, honeysuckle, and orange rind.

Palate: waxy, shortbread, wildflower honey, and preserved salted lemon.

Finish: Lingering waxiness, with some sharp lemon, and a cake-y sweetness.

[TWO BOTTLES PER PERSON]