Elevenses is a brand of the Keeble Cask Company, also known for their Fragrant Drops range. This Edinburgh-based independent bottler was founded in 2020 by George Keeble. We’ll come back to the Fragrant Drops series soon, but today we’re looking at Elevenses with a young Speyburn and a Secret Wigtownshire (probably Bladnoch).
Speyburn 10 yo 2014 ‘Super-Duper Lemony’ (50%, Elevenses 2025, refill bourbon hogshead, 361 btl.)
Nose: eau-de-vie of lemons and barley. Some new make notes of pear drops. Also granny smith, light chalky notes and plenty of lemon sherbet and lemon peels. Later also dried grasses. Simple, for springtime.
Mouth: still very young. Now it does have pretty spectacular hints of lemon sweets or lemon ice cream. As if they added some synthetic flavouring. Then unripe gooseberries, a hint of vanilla and plenty of green apples. A little dextrose and hay as well.
Finish: rather short, greener, with a raw edge.
Very low complexity, but I have to admit the lemon sweet flavour is quite remarkable. Clearly young though. Available from Master of Malt with a discount.
Secret Wigtownshire 6 yo 2018 ‘Lemon Sherbet, Anyone?’ (50%, Elevenses 2025, first fill bourbon barrels, 565 btl.)
Nose: slightly more full-bodied, with more hay and also more oak. Some vanilla pastry, banana and red apples. A light astringency too, like burnt sugar.
Mouth: quite light, with more red apple sweetness, along with lemon peels, green banana and grapefruit juice. The bourbon oak is noticeable as a lightly toasted edge. Some toast and biscuits too. Pepper and ginger comes out later.
Finish: not exactly mature, so a short finish with limited flavours.
Again quite fresh and summery but also a bit boring to be honest. If easy-drinking is what you’re after, then the Speyburn is rather more enjoyable. Also seen at Master of Malt. Score: 79/100