Whisky is so much more than a drink. It’s a passion, and for many, including ourselves here at Great Drams, it’s a way of life.
Because of my line of work, I’ve been fortunate enough to sample some of the finest drams in the country. From heavily peated, smoky Islay expressions, to complex fruity and spicy drops from Campbelltown, and everything in between.
Today, I’m going to be reviewing a series of whiskies from Ferg & Harris. Ferg & Harris are a luxury single cask, single malt brand who pair delectable whiskies with a variety of different cask finishes to create all manner of amazing treats. Here are some that have been turning heads for all the right reasons.
12 Year Old Caol Ila Brunello Cask Finish
This is a complex dram that combines peat smoke with Tuscan red wine. Finished in a Brunello di Montalcino Wine Hogshead it’s one of the most interesting drams I’ve been lucky enough to try.
A cask finish and cask strength whisky, this stunner comes in at 53.3% ABV. It’s a beautiful toffee fudge colour with plenty of salty maritime influences from the rugged Islay landscapes.
On the nose you instantly get the peat, closely coupled with salty seaweed and honey roast ham. There’s also summer berries lingering in the background.
On the palate, those crisp fruity wine notes shine through. I picked up poached pears, and honey roast pork with apple sauce of all things. There’s also barley sugar, and the unmistakable smokiness you get from a peated dram.
The finish is medium in length. There’s more sweet and salty pork notes, crisp red wine, sea breeze, and touch more bonfire smoke.
When you think of a Speyside whisky, this is what you think of. Finished in first-fill PX sherry casks for six months, this whisky has absorbed so many sweet and fruity sherry notes it almost seems impossible.
This is a cask strength whisky and at 55.7% you definitely know it. The strength of the dram, coupled with the fruity sweetness from the PX casks really works and helps to unify things and bring everything together.
This dark hazelnut coloured whisky has a very obvious aroma of sticky figs right from the get go. This is closely pursued by dates, stewed plums, and plump juicy raisins. See what I mean about the PX influence? Sniff again, and you should pick up toffee apple and a touch of tobacco pipe smoke.
On the palate there’s a fruity sweetness from the sherry. I picked up sticky toffee pudding and vanilla cream custard. It’s almost like a dessert wine, and let me tell you, in a whisky, that’s a rare treat. The harshness of the alcohol cuts through the sweetness beautifully. There are also undertones of tinned cherries, baked figs drizzled with honey, and a woody pinch of oak.
The finish is lengthy. This has a very thick mouthfeel that’s almost syrupy at first, yet quickly evens out. It’s very smooth.
This dram is another belter that’s taken on heaps of woodiness from the cask it was matured in. It has everything you could ever want from a mainland dram, and more besides.
Aged in medium charred virgin oak barrels, this golden coloured dram comes in at a throat-warming 53.8% ABV.
On the nose, you’re instantly reminded of Christmas. There’s cinnamon, nutmeg, anise, cloves, ginger, and sandalwood. A second sniff should give you more vanilla sweetness. I picked up caramel hazelnuts here too.
On the palate, Christmas pudding with brandy custard flavours shine through instantly. The oak influence suddenly enters the scene, punching you in the face. Not subtle at all, but if you love your oak influences, this is the dram for you.
The finish is short-medium. You get the spiciness from the winter aromatics, along with caramelised toffee and more woody oak to finish.
I love Highland whiskies, yet it feels like I don’t review nearly enough of them. That needs to change.
This delight from Elgin has been matured in bourbon barrels along with virgin oak casks. The gorgeous golden amber colour lets you know right away that this is a decadent dram. At 55.5% ABV there’s plenty of kick too.
On the nose vanilla and nutmeg are obvious aromas right away, closely followed by toasted creamy oats and sweet cereal and milk notes. There are also buttery fudge aromas here.
On the palate, toffee, caramel, and barley sugar are the dominant flavours. Sip again, and you should pick up more nutty flavours, dried candied fruits, and a touch of black pepper.
The finish lingers and offers vanilla, oak, and a gorgeous mouthfeel thanks to the tannins from the wood.
If you’d like to learn more about your favourite whiskies, or simply treat yourself to a wee dram or two at the same time, head on over to GreatDrams.com and take a look at the impressive selection of whiskies we have available.
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