Precious Liquors has a new series which honours the bear Wojtek. He was recued as a cub in Iran and later became an official member of the Polish army in World War II. He famously helped to carry heavy artillery shells and remains a symbol of courage and loyalty. Check this BBC documentary if you’re interested.
Speyside 12 yo (50,5%, Precious Liquors ‘Corporal Wojtek’ 2025, Pedro Ximénez barriques, 450 btl.)
Nose: a modern mix of redcurrants and cherry flavoured gummi bears, along with marmalade and hints of walnut wine. Also a faint hint of dried mango slices. Then some fallen leaves and subtle tobacco. Underneath there are some fresh oak shavings and vanilla, with mild spice.
Mouth: sweet and initially quite fruity, on plums, apples, berries and honey. Mid-palate it turns towards clove and nutmeg, becoming bittersweet. Cold coffee, some savoury elements. Then hints of dark chocolate, roasted walnuts, along with tobacco and leather. A little marmalade and a hint of mulled wine too.
Finish: medium, with leafy hints, a bit of green oak, coffee and oak spice.
A pretty solid whisky, albeit rather modern with a tangy edge. Not your classic Pedro Ximénez influence, and not entirely fitting my expectations. Sold out.
Benrinnes 13 yo 2011 (55,5%, Precious Liquors ‘Corporal Wojtek’ 2025, Oloroso sherry + bourbon finish, 316 btl.)
Nose: blueberry jam, stewed plums, as well as dates and raisins. Really nice, especially with the honeyed notes on top. Then toffee sweetness, some sour berries, mandarin and orange. The bourbon finish also lends it a subtle vanilla note and balanced oak.
Mouth: stewed fruits again, starting on berries and damsons, but quickly moving towards marmalade, walnuts and candied ginger. Also acacia honey. The woody side sets in, with black tea and herbal notes. More robust towards the end, with roasted pecans.
Finish: quite long, warming with some spicy warmth, black pepper, caramel and drying tobacco leaves.
Quite a lovely nose here, a nice mix of rich sherry and some roundness from the bourbon cask. More robust on the palate but overall a very nice dram, much more to my liking. Still available from Precious Drops. Score: 88/100