After the previous session with new releases from Decadent Drinks we’re now looking at the remaining whiskies. Three of them are Decadent Drams and the other one is an Old Arran in the new Islands series.
Old Arran 10 yo 2014 + 2016 (52%, Decadent Drinks 2026, Oloroso hogshead + bourbon barrel, 219 btl.)
Nose: the sherried elements blend nicely with the peated notes. I get damp leaves, wee hints of black olives, along with worn leather and some sea air. Wet soil. Light campfire notes in the background. Then some orchard fruit, even a light tropical note, quickly overtaken by more savoury hints again.
Mouth: a great creamy texture, mixed with leafy notes, hints of leather and gentle earthy notes. Wet soil again. Then a hint of bonfire, a wee salty edge, cinnamon and toasted almond. It gets a little thinner towards the finish, with a hint of tobacco and walnuts.
Finish: medium long, with more nutty hints, subtle coastal notes and more leather.
A mix of unpeated and peated Arran. It’s quite remarkable how this creates a new style altogether, not necessarily recognizable as Arran but really, really good. Available from Decadent Drinks direct, or retailers like The Whisky Exchange.
Inchgower 17 yo 2009 (53%, Decadent Drinks ‘Decadent Drams’ 2026, refill barrel + first-fill barrel finish)
Nose: very natural, with a lot of ripe pears and waxed apple peelings. Lemon curd and vanilla custard. Hints of spent sunflower oil and sandalwood. A little beeswax as well.
Mouth: a classy mix of sweet creamy notes (vanilla, cream soda), mild peppery notes and cinnamon, with more orchard fruits. Apples and pears. Then a little hay, an oaky edge and gentle warmth from the alcohol.
Finish: medium long, with a gentle oaky note, vanilla, a drying grassy touch and peppermint.
Highly drinkable whisky, fairly natural and nicely textured. More depth and refinement than you’d expect, especially if you take the price into account. Available from Decadent Drinks or retailers like The Whisky Exchange. Score: 87/100
Glenburgie 26 yo 2000 (54%, Decadent Drinks ‘Decadent Drams’ 2026, refill barrel + first-fill barrel finish)
Nose: even more creamy than the Inchgower. Lots of honeycomb notes, dried wildflowers, some honey and pollen. Vanilla custard again. Then a little white chocolate with puffed rice, sweet cereals and a hint of peach. Sweet citrus too.
Mouth: more of these stone fruits and citrus notes, along with a generous honeyed theme. Waxy and grainy notes. Mid-palate this moves towards ginger biscuits, orange peels and a subtle leathery note.
Finish: long, still revolving around honey, orange and some polished oak.
Glenburgie can be very fruity but this is more on the honeyed side, making it rich and rather decadent indeed. Available from Decadent Drinks or Master of Malt for instance. Score: 90/100
Tullibardine 21 yo 2005 (55,6%, Decadent Drinks ‘Decadent Drams’ 2026, first-fill sherry hogshead, 274 btl.)
Nose: full-blown sherry, full of prunes in brandy, stewed figs and blackberry jam. Sour cranberries. It starts fruity but along the way it picks up savoury notes. Walnuts, a hint of espresso and dark chocolate. Then light winey touches, cinnamon and tobacco leaves. In the background also a light meaty note and a whiff of oil paint.
Mouth: same intensity. Big hints of roasted nuts, red berries, blueberry syrup and rum-raisins. Still an oily side, in between chocolate and walnut purée, with a few drops of clove oil. Then treacle, hints of herbal tea and cigar boxes. The minty oak is well integrated.
Finish: long, with more tobacco, herbal tea, forest fruits and wood spice.
In line with the Tullibardine 2006 they bottled a few years ago. Really thick, plump sherry – a classic sherry bomb. The balance between fruit and oak is really good. Available from Decadent Drinks. Score: 90/100