Whisky Works is the innovation division of Whyte & MacKay. Whisky maker Gregg Glass creates experimental whiskies.
Some of the latest ones were Quartermaster, a blended whisky matured in four different casks, and this Speyside single malt from an unnamed (but silent) distillery, finished for seven months in cognac barriques from the Bourgoin Estate.
They say this was one of the last batches produced at the distillery in September 1998, leading us to… (make a guess before you read on)
Speyside Single Malt 20 yo 1998
(47,1%, Whisky Works 2019, cognac finish, 1593 btl.)
Speyside Single Malt 20 yo 1998Nose: typical for this distillery indeed, very vibrant and aromatic. Fresh banana, lemon and melon. Hints of parma violets and jasmin green tea. Rubbed mint. Some candy floss. Really nice, and little cognac to be found so far.
Mouth: more fruits, and more sweetness now. Mirabelles, greengages, soft vanilla and hints of mint again. There is a certain spicy / buttery / oaky touch that hints towards cognac, but in a balanced way. Hints of ginger and lemon peel, as well as light toffee.
Finish: medium long, on sawdust, green banana and a hint of wax.
Nice whisky, like most Imperial. The cognac finish gives it a special touch, and while it may not have been necessary per se, it certainly didn’t hurt either. Not cheap, but coming from a silent distillery and from White & Mackay it’s not excessive. Available from The Whisky Exchange and Master of Malt for instance.
Score: 87/100