Image courtesy of Victoria Caledonian Distillers.
ABV |
46% |
---|---|
Aging |
Finished in Re-Toasted Red Wine Casks |
Recipe |
100% Malted Barley |
Producer | Victoria Caledonian (Victoria, British Columbia) |
This is a blend of two casks from Bunnahabhain and Caol Ila (so...this is gotta be decent at the least!) - a "guest whisky" from Victoria Caledonian while they wait for their own spirit to mature. This was based on Graeme's optimal combination of two casks from the Scottish highlands, among the ones he has to work with. There are two versions of this - an ex-bourbon version and one finished in re-toasted red wine barriques (which is this version) - a favorite of Jim Swan, who consulted for Victoria Caledonian.
Review (2018)
Batch: N/A
Bottling Code: N/A
Bottling Date: 2018
Interesting – there is a bit of a house style in all of these twa casks. All quite leafy, and influenced by that re-toasted red-wine barrique. Quite floral and smoky, with a nice smoky edge. Cinnamon, peat bogs, pear, clove, cinnamon, anise, and good oak influence. The palate has a very nice rising smoke to it, culminating together with Islay medicinal smoke and some red licorice. Nice deep finish, full of minerality, smoke, and dried fruit. My favorite of the Twa Casks – but the red-wine finished Twa casks are all quite good.
Also, I quite like most of what comes from Bunnahabhain and Caol Ila...
Recommended (81% of whiskies I’ve reviewed to date get this recommendation or higher).
Value: N/A