WhiskyNotes » Ladyburn http://www.whiskynotes.be Whisky blog and tasting notes Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:29:18 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Ladyburn 1973 http://www.whiskynotes.be/2009/ladyburn/ladyburn-1973/ http://www.whiskynotes.be/2009/ladyburn/ladyburn-1973/#comments Fri, 13 Feb 2009 23:00:24 +0000 Ruben http://www.whiskynotes.be/?p=362 On Valentine’s day, what could possibly be better than a whisky named Ladyburn… one of the mythical names in the world of whisky. The distillery opened in 1966 and closed just nine years later. Now the distillery plant produces vodka for Richard Branson, among other spirits.  Only a handful of bottlings have been released, and this 27 years old 1973 was one of the last, although there are rumours about a few more casks in William Grant’s cellars. For most old whiskies, there is a risk of intrusive oak influence, and this Ladyburn was said to be on the edge. It was matured in bourbon oak and only 3000 bottles were made available.

They are highly sought-after, and most owners don’t bother opening their bottle because it’s so rare and expensive (over € 500).

Ladyburn 1973 27y Ladyburn 27y 1973 (50,4%, OB 2000, Cask 3233)

Nose: starts rather earthy and grassy. Quite sharp and rather ‘unwelcoming’. Some grainy notes: cereals, mashed potatoes. Walnuts. After a while, it develops floral and fruity notes. Very nice smell of apricots and apples. Mint. This one needed time to open up, but it was worth the wait. Mouth: really soft delivery. First impressions are very mellow, with sweet vanilla. But then, hello! An avalanche of fruit: grapefruit (the pink, sweeter variety), lovely strawberry, peach, orange, apple, blackcurrant. Common fruits, but also fruit flavours that you don’t find often, really interesting. Something of a dessert wine as well. The finish is on dry oak and liquorice, with some pear flavour. Not very long though.

Quite unique lowlands style. It’s not highly regarded for its taste but I liked it a lot!
Score: 88/100.

]]> http://www.whiskynotes.be/2009/ladyburn/ladyburn-1973/feed/ 0 Rare Ayrshire 1975 (SV cask #558) http://www.whiskynotes.be/2011/ladyburn/rare-ayrshire-1975-sv-cask-558/ http://www.whiskynotes.be/2011/ladyburn/rare-ayrshire-1975-sv-cask-558/#comments Mon, 20 Jun 2011 22:49:00 +0000 Ruben http://www.whiskynotes.be/2011/ladyburn/rare-ayrshire-1975-sv-cask-558/ Rare Ayrshire refers to the Ladyburn distillery, which was an expansion of the Girvan grain distillery built in 1963 by William Grant & Sons. The Ladyburn malt whisky distillery was created in 1966 by installing two pot stills, but nine years later (in 1975), they were already dismantled.

As Signatory is not allowed to use the name Ladyburn, they’ve bottled it under the name Ayrshire, after the council area of Scotland in which it was located. While no other independent bottler seems to have remaining stocks, Signatory released a handful of Labyburn casks since 2007.

 

Rare Ayrshire 1975 SV 558Rare Ayrshire 34 yo 1975
(45,2%, Signatory Vintage 2009,
cask #558, 166 btl.)

Nose: apple and citrus aromas. Mixed with some slightly sour / musty oak, you get a very light and vibrant profile. Soft nutty notes. Mint. A hint of pepper. Mouth: starts spicy and slightly malty (fresh bread) before getting fresher and more vibrant with lemon and lemon balm. Quite sweet (pink grapefruit, a little pineapple). Nice development with clear oak which works nicely here. Again a soft nuttiness. Finish: half fruity, half grassy. Not too oaky.

A nice and fresh Lowlands dram from a legendary distillery. Nothing exceptional I would say, certainly not from a price / quality perspective, but indeed truly rare.
Around € 165.

Score: 83/100

]]> http://www.whiskynotes.be/2011/ladyburn/rare-ayrshire-1975-sv-cask-558/feed/ 0