Single Malt Scotch Tasting Menu
1. Appetizers
Brioche, Pâté de Foie Gras, golden plums macerated in brown sugar
Glenmorangie Nectar D'Or
croccantini, Liège Syrup, di Parma, San Simon
26 years old Highland Park by Hart Brothers
dry plums, roquefort papillon/stilton + fresh goat cheese, Di Parma
20 years old Bowmore by A.D.Rattray (former owner of Bowmore)
2. Butternut squash, enoki mushrooms, Basmati, burberrys, leeks
35 years old Banff by Duncan Taylor
3. Dry Plums and Hazelnuts stuffed Quail, smoked Bartlett Pear, Beluga lentils with caramelized fennel and onions
20 years old Bowmore by A.D.Rattray (bourbon cascs)
4. Prosecco Infused Pear with Brown Butter Ice Cream and Miso Caramel
Nama Fresh Chocolate
35 years old Banff by Duncan Taylor
21 years old Bowmore, port cask
26 years old Highland Park bottled by Hart Brothers
Region: Orkney
Distilled: Nov-1977
Bottled: Sep-2004
Cask: -
Bottle: -
Alcohol: 46%
Decanted: May-2008
General Distillery Profile:
(<20yo) Honey Caramel Oranges Pepper Apples Smoke Fruity Heather Tea Licorice
(>20yo) Honey Sherry Smoke Fruits Oranges Caramel Peat Eucalyptus Wax Apples
Highland Park, Scotland's most northerly distillery is situated on the Island of Orkney 50 miles of the north coast of Scotland. Highland Park is one of the few distilleries to malt its own barley. It also has its own peat beds.
Nose: heather honey, faints whiffs of peat smoke, dried fruits, flower nectar, light tobacco, echoes of the sea (okay, sea air), a few herbal notes, earl grey tea, chamomile… Few coarse woody notes in the end (pepper and ginger tonic).
Mouth: a little strange in the attack, with unexpected medicinal notes as well as notes of sweet mint and licorice that make it very, well, unusual. It’s got something of a very old Islayer. Other than that we have quite some orange marmalade and honey as well as notes of sweet curry sauce and many other spices.
Finish: medium to short but superbly clean and sweetly resinous.
35 years old Banff bottled by Duncan Taylor
Region: Speyside/Highland
Distilled: Nov-1975
Bottled: May-2011
Cask: Oak, #3353
Bottle: #069/265
Alcohol: 45.2%
Decanted: -
General Distillery Profile:
Mustard Apples Pepper Vegetal Bitter Green Austere Smoke Grassy Cider
“Finding a hidden barrel from one of Scotland's most undervalued and unknown mothballed distilleries was just icing on the cake. Banff was a Highland institution that was dismantled and demolished back in 1983. Destined to become the next Brora or Port Ellen, malt enthusiasts are only now beginning to understand just what exactly we've been missing. A good Banff whisky will usually exhibit some strong grainy notes, bright stone fruits, and a kick of vanilla on the finish. The 35 year old single cask we found at the Duncan Taylor estate is the best Banff we've ever had the chance to taste. The initial flavors are saline and subtle (think Clynelish at its best) before transitioning into a mouthful of vanilla cream with cereal grain and white peach accents. The finish is ultra-delicate, almost transcendent in its grace, and at 45.2% there's no need to water it down. Just sit back, pour, and enjoy one of the finest barrels we were lucky enough to stumble across. Banff is gone and it will never produce any whisky again which adds to the collectability of the bottle, but you'll want to drink every drop of this, trust us. Along with the Ladyburn, this was one of the top whiskies from our trip, hands down.”
David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer
20 years old Bowmore bottled by A. D. Rattray (former owner of Bowmore)
Region: Islay
Distilled: Jul-1991
Bottled: Sep-2011
Cask: Sherry, #2061
Bottle: -/461
Alcohol: 56.2%
Decanted: -
General Distillery Profile:
<1975: Passion fruits Pepper Peat Oranges Grapefruits Smoke Lemon Jam Chocolate Tangerines
1976-1991: Peat Pepper Smoke Licorice Lavender Perfumy Oranges Lemon Butter Vanilla
>1992: Fresh Peat White fruits Clean Pepper Tea Maritime Smoke Green
Very meaty! As in smoky charred cuts of meat sitting on a BBQ grill. The smokiness on this is more of the ashy type. There smoke carries through on the palate along with winey notes and anise.
20 years old Bowmore bottled by A. D. Rattray
Region: Islay
Distilled: Feb-1990
Bottled: Oct-2010
Cask: Bourbon, #271
Bottle: -/235
Alcohol: 54%
Decanted: -
General Distillery Profile:
<1975: Passion fruits Pepper Peat Oranges Grapefruits Smoke Lemon Jam Chocolate Tangerines
1976-1991: Peat Pepper Smoke Licorice Lavender Perfumy Oranges Lemon Butter Vanilla
>1992: Fresh Peat White fruits Clean Pepper Tea Maritime Smoke Green
Smoky grains, hints of vanilla with cereal notes, and a very retrained elegance that Islay seems to have forgotten these days.
21 years old Bowmore
Region: Islay
Distilled: 1988
Bottled: 2009
Cask: Port, -
Bottle: -
Alcohol: 51.5%
Decanted: -
General Distillery Profile:
<1975: Passion fruits Pepper Peat Oranges Grapefruits Smoke Lemon Jam Chocolate Tangerines
1976-1991: Peat Pepper Smoke Licorice Lavender Perfumy Oranges Lemon Butter Vanilla
>1992: Fresh Peat White fruits Clean Pepper Tea Maritime Smoke Green
Nose: Fruity, with plums and figs balanced with floral notes and a hint of peat.
Palate: sweet with pears, plums, and raisins that fade as black pepper notes build slowly.
Finish: tart and short.
11 years old Bowmore
Region: Islay
Distilled: 2000
Bottled: 2011
Cask: Oak, HH7613
Bottle: -/180
Alcohol: 57.5%
Decanted: -
General Distillery Profile:
<1975: Passion fruits Pepper Peat Oranges Grapefruits Smoke Lemon Jam Chocolate Tangerines
1976-1991: Peat Pepper Smoke Licorice Lavender Perfumy Oranges Lemon Butter Vanilla
>1992: Fresh Peat White fruits Clean Pepper Tea Maritime Smoke Green
Vanilla, rich, rainsinated fruit with tea aromas and damp Autumn leaves next to a bonfire! The palate is where the oily Bowmore smoke and the tangy notes from the Sherry hit, with more damp earth leading to a succulent, savory finish.