PR invite // All thoughts and opinions are, of course, my own.
The team at Adelphi has released the new blended scotch whisky Macleans Nose and hosted a little launch party at Usquabae. The whisky’s name has a bit of a double meaning as Charles Maclean was involved with choosing the final blend, but there’s also a landmark by the name of Macleans Nose which is located near the distillery. Artwork of the landmark by artist Reuben Sian de Gourley decorates the label which has been created using leftover barley husks. The whisky retails at a very affordable £30 and is bottled at 46% with non chill filtration and natural colour.
The whisky is a 70/30 single malt to grain whisky ratio, meaning the malt content is fairly high and the main component (about 65%) comes from the 2018 stock of a west highland distillery which may or may not be that difficult to guess. The remainder is sourced from 2016 Campbeltown stock and the grain whisky is 2016 stock from a Lowland distillery. There’s some heavily shirred components in the mix and the stock from the west highland distillery is about 50/50 peated and unpeated spirit.
On the nose I got a herbal note reminiscent of tarragon, caramel, apple peels and citrus zest. The palate as maritime with toffee and spices alongside a grassy sweetness and grain vanilla. It’s a blend with a big flavour which feels more robust that many other blends I’ve tried recently which I’m sure will appeal to lovers of Ardnamurchan and similar styles of whisky. For such an affordable price it could be a brilliant go-to staple whisky for your shelves and it seams this will be a whisky which Adelphi will continue to produce in coming years as well.
Usquabae provided some lovely nibbles alongside the tasting – and also a Macleans Nose Mai Tai which was super tasty and refreshing! It’s a lovely whisky bar so would highly recommend visiting. If you fancy trying some Macleans Nose before your buy a bottle I believe they also have some behind the bar.
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