Decadent Drinks has not slowed down one bit since saying goodbye to the Whisky Sponge era. Their new Whiskyland range is going from strength to strength. I can barely keep up. While I’m reviewing Chapters Four, Five and Six today, the next two instalments have been announced already.
I’m not too worried about it though. Whisky shouldn’t be rushed, and neither should whisky reviews. Sometimes that means a whisky is sold out before I’ve gotten to it. Lucky for you, dear reader, that’s not the case here.
Should you feel inclined to treat yourself, the BenRiach 1991 33 Years, Caol Ila 1992 31 Years and Flowermore 1985 38 Years (an undisclosed Bowmore) are all still available from Decadent Drinks’ webshop.
BenRiach 1991 33 Years (55.9%, Decadent Drinks ‘Whiskyland’, Chapter Four)
Nose: A subtle waxiness alongside gentle green fruits, a touch of cigar boxes and some toasted bread as well. Some Manuka honey lingers in the background. Hints of apples and stewed pears, but then some orange marmalade and soft caramel notes. Delightful stuff.
Taste: A waxy mouthfeel accompanied by white pepper, a slight astringency and an array of orchard fruits, mead and yellow plums. Water elevates the citrus notes, but there’s also a slight floral element lingering in the background.
Finish: Medium length. Gentle oak spices, a hint of mint and some residual yellow fruits.
Caol Ila 1992 32 Years (51.8%, Decadent Drinks ‘Whiskyland’, Chapter Five)
Nose: Perfectly elegant. Hints of sunflower oil, a fresh pine note, and what I imagine porridge made from peated malt smells like. There’s a soft mineral hint, some camphor and medicinal lotions. Then some leather, as well as banana, lemons and coconut. Just beautiful.
Taste: A nice oiliness. Slivers of wood smoke, alongside smoked oysters, some brine and a touch of diesel. Also a hint of oranges, some charred lemon peel and a whisper of eucaluptus. Then some burnt peanuts and a slight bitter leafiness.
Finish: Very long and lovely. A pinch of salt, lingering earthy smoke and gentle mineral notes.
Flowermore Single Malt 1985 38 Years (53.3%, Decadent Drinks ‘Whiskyland’, Chapter Six)
Nose: An elegant malt after nearly 40 years in the cask. Unmistakable hints of violets, even a sliver of lavender, but I don’t find it an issue. It’s also countered by gentle notes of nori sheets, a tinge of brine-y oysters and some faint tropical influences as well. The peat smoke is subtle, and the soft mineral notes are pleasing as well.
Taste: Somewhat leafy, a tad ashy and just sliver of lavender again. Plenty of brine-y, coastal notes again, as well as a herbaceous hint and some parma violets. Not much in the way of tropical fruit.
Finish: Medium length. Slightly salty and maritime, but the florality remains also.
Samples provided by Decadent Drams
