At The Whisky Exchange, they’ve become quite adept at creating traditions. Apart from hosting some festivals, they also release some very special limited releases that I always look forward to. The same is true for their Fine Christmas Malt, and their Black Friday whisky.
This year is no exception, apart from the fact that Brexit has made it ridiculously challenging to get bottles sent across the pond. I should rephrase that in some way, because the shipping is not exactly the issue. The problem arises only in the delivery and the accompanying bill for additional customs, excise and clearing costs that have to be paid upon delivery.
If that was no issue, I would have ordered a bottle of the Christmas malt, without a shadow of a doubt. And now, like they’re trying to rub it in, there’s the Black Friday whisky. Last year I didn’t get a sample so I don’t know what that one was about, but in the years prior this actually was a great deal.
Unlike previous editions, where there was some information with which to find out which distillery the whisky was from, this year there’s only the region given. Speyside, which only narrows things down by about 50%. Still some 50-ish options left. Maybe tasting the whisky will give us some idea?
Sniff:
Floral notes, with straw, orchard fruits and a bit of sweetness. There’s a slightly acidic note like dried passion fruit, granny smith apple. After a while a gentle note of wood and brown bread starts coming through. The floral notes are quite meadowy, wild flowers and grass – like.
Sip:
There’s a gentle arrival,but there’s a swift hint of white pepper to follow it. The palate is dry, but the acidic fruity notes are present too. Apple, passion fruit, maracuja. Some oak, straw, grass and some poppy seeds.
Swallow:
The finish continues down the same line. Dry, with quite a lot of orchard fruits. Some oaky notes, and some floral ones too.
TWE states “It’s something that made us smile when we first tried it” on their announcement page for this whisky, and they’re not wrong. This one isn’t as ‘unique’ as their Christmas malt is this year, but it fits nicely in line with the Glenburgie from 2019 for Black Friday.
It’s a complex dram with a nice layering of flavors. The lighter style of fruitiness, with some wood and pepper notes make for an easy drinking dram that has a lot to offer if you sit down with it and give it some time.
88/100
Available from the moment of publishing for about 15 minutes, if previous releases are any indication of things… It’ll set you back £ 110.