A. D. Rattray Tweet Tasting III

Continuing our teeming throng of industry leading Twitter trending Tweet Tastings (the original virtual tastings), were absolutely thrilled to announce that on September 16th, we’ll be teaming up again with our good friends at A.D. Rattray, to pour and explore our way through some of the independent bottled bounty from their Warehouse Collection.

On the night we’ll be sharing, sipping and savouring their Glenrothes 12 Year Old, Knochdhu 10 Year Old, Ardmore 9 Year Old, Orkney Malt 11 Year Old and Williamson Blended Malt 8 Year Old expressions.

Full details to follow, but if you fancy taking part in what promises to be an epic evening of dramfotainment click here to register your interest by emailing your name, address, phone number, date of birth and Twitter handle. Please remember to mark the subject line of your email: #ADRattrayWhisky

The closing date to register is August 21st, and if you are registering to take part please make sure that you will actually be free on the night!!!

Even if you're not one of the selected tasters, it'd be great to have you following the evening’s dramfotainment with a dram in hand. So we look forward to seeing you over on Twitter on September 16th, from 7pm BST via #ADRattrayWhisky

Registrations open to over 21's only!

For more info on A. D. Rattray, visit: adrattray.com

@TheWhiskyWire

@ADRattrayWhisky

#ADRattrayWhisky

Be part of the Dramfotainment!

Quick Fire Gin Tasting Notes

Darnley's Smoke and Zest Gin

42.5% ABV

Nose: Fabulously fragrant notes of juniper, lime zest, blueberries and pink grapefruit lead the way, before being joined by a dusting of icing sugar, lemon thyme, sage, ground black pepper, Edinburgh rock, lemon sherbet, pine trees after a passing rain shower and a pile of old newspapers burning on a beach bonfire.

Palate: Waves of smoke and juniper infused lemons, limes and pink grapefruit, raspberries and blackberries. Followed by notes of sweet malted barley, ground black pepper, sage, coriander and a balancing pine freshness.

Finish: A long citrus and savoury led finish, with confident reminders of its juniper and smoke backbone.

Summary: A superb allrounder of a gin, which sips superbly over ice and effortlessly elevates a G&T. It also just happens to work smoulderingly well in both a Negroni and a Martini.

Quick Fire Whisky Tasting Notes

Crabbie 1994 Single Cask - 25 Year Old

Tobermory Single Malt Scotch Whisky 

46.2% ABV

Nose: Wondrous waves of buttery puff pastry, filled with stewed apples, raisins, mixed spice and a few cheeky drops of calvados. Along with notes of tea steeped prunes, mixed citrus peel, dried apricots, warm runny honey, plain unsalted peanuts, cherry drops and aniseed twists.

Palate: An initial palatable coat of salted caramel, swiftly makes way for a feisty forage of forest fruits, followed by the arrival of a bar of Cadbury’s wholenut, tea steeped prunes, a slice of treacle tart, a good glug of spiced honey, Tunes cherry lozenges, clove studded oranges and more of those aniseed twists.

Finish: A dry and warm spiced finish, that would be more than welcome to linger around for longer.

Summary: A beautifully balanced example of a quarter of a century aged expression from Tobemory, which along with its peated Ledaig bottlings, is a distillery that I have a very soft spot for. Very much looking forward to finding out what John Crabbie & Co will be bottling next!

Quick Fire Whisky Tasting Notes

Green Isle

Blended Scotch Whisky

40% ABV

Nose: Instantly alluring waves of toffee apples, poached pears, honeydew melon, Robinsons lemon barley water and cut grass. Along with the unmistakable aromas of Kellogg’s crunchy nut cornflakes, spiced honey, Arbroath smokies, samphire, used coffee grounds, toasted oak, sweet peat smoke, iodine and the tiniest tease of Vicks VapoRub.

Palate: There's a creamy yet chalky, sweet smoky start to the palatable proceedings, but it's not long before it starts to exude notes of apple and blackberry crumble drenched in vanilla custard, grilled pineapple rings, demerara sugar cubes, Jamaica ginger cake and a Cadbury’s fudge bar. Followed by crispy honey cured bacon, ground black pepper, pear drops, liquorice allsorts and Fireball Jawbreaker bubble gum.

Finish: A feisty and fabulous, sweet and smoky, doesn’t under or over stay its welcome kind of a finish!

Summary: An absolute solid stunner of a big bang for buck blended belter, which delivers a tease of the ‘old school’ with an almost ‘blend of yesteryear’ feel.