Archive For The “Scotch Vatted Malt” Category

Velvet Fig – Wemyss’ Vatted Malt is a Winner

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Velvet Fig – Wemyss’ Vatted Malt is a Winner

My affinity and curiosity (and often disappointment) from vatted malts is well known to my readers, as making a really good vatted malt, one that truly highlights what each of the different malts brings into the blend is a true feat of art. Also well known is my disdain for the inevitable “best ____ whisky of…

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The Islands come together in the Rock Oyster Vatted Malt

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The Islands come together in the Rock Oyster Vatted Malt

It’s no secret that I’m curious about vatted malts (and no secret that I’m somewhat of a holdout on calling them “blended malts”, in compliance with the SWA’s decree). While this category was completely abandoned by the big corporations, the independent bottlers have definitely come into this category, and are in the midst of an…

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The Lost Blend Whisky Tasting Notes – Clynelish, Allt-a-Bhainne and Caol Ila Vatted Malt

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The Lost Blend Whisky Tasting Notes – Clynelish, Allt-a-Bhainne and Caol Ila Vatted Malt

My fascination with vatted malts is something I have written about before, and John Glaser at Compass Box has really taken malt vatting (or malt blending, as it should be officially called) to an art form, combining breakthrough production methods with tenacious talent (which in blending is probably 95% methodical experimentation an patience) and great whisky sourcing…

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Adventures in Malt Blends Part 3 – Compass Box Peat Monster

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Adventures in Malt Blends Part 3 – Compass Box Peat Monster

We continue our trip down peat vatting lane with the Compass Box Peat Monster. At the heart of Peat Monster beats Caol Ila with another unnamed Islay single malt from a south shore distillery. The south shore has Ardbeg, Laphroaig and Lagavulin, and if I had to bet, I’d put my money on Lagavulin simply because…

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Adventures in Malt Blends Part 2 – Wemyss Peat Chimney

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Adventures in Malt Blends Part 2 – Wemyss Peat Chimney

We continue our peated blends sojourn, today with contestant number two. Wemyss are both independent bottlers (see my review of the outstanding Glen Scotia Single Cask “Merchant’s Mahogany Chest” bottling) and blenders, with a line of three blended malts representing a sweet Speyside Style (The Hive), a spicy Highland style (Spice King) and a peated…

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