Month: August 2013

The Convict Unchained:

When presented with a sample at 72% everyone raises an eyebrow whether it be voluntarily or not.

Like all of Mr. Duckett’s samples that come to my door, opening the lid is enough to let a huge whack of port cask notes titillate the nose with sultanas and caramels. On closer inspection of the nose we get a decent amount of woody notes which sometimes I feel are absent from the Heartwood whisky’s. The Convict has been aged for 11 years in a port cask and it really does show it with marmalade like, sharp sweetness.

A taste of this whisky is enough to shake the kilt off a Scotsman, it screams port cask and I’m buggered if I know how so much sweetness can come out of 72% alcohol, it is immense however a little locked up. A dash of water is perfect for allowing that little bit of wood to rejoin the party and release the concentrated caramel flavours.

I think that this whisky is all about the finish. It hangs around for ages and leaves an almost molasses flavour on my palate. The plums from the port cask can now be detected and there’s even more fruits to be discovered.

Overall this whisky is definitely not one to be giving to your granny or your son on his 18th birthday, the alcohol ensures that only the whisky die hard will ever understand it. Heartwood whisky’s are staying true to their traits. High alcohol, massive flavour concentration they just need to be “unchained.”

Review by:
Chez Regine / Whisky + Alement

Here we go TD…

Sweet barley sugar, hints of cinnamon, dried citrus peel, and other kitchen spices, like cloves…it’s dragging me in and my mouth is literally watering…very subtle oak, even subtler malt, but then, a slightly oaky/dirty sherry note appears, but as a positive not a negative. I have to say, a very stylish nose, great balance without too much “nasal burn” as my Neat Americans would say.

Has certain Lark characteristics about it.

For F%^$k sake…I sound like an whisky expert…stop it…just taste it, you moron…

Yumbo! Sweet, sweet, honey, barley sugar, rich maltiness on entry, fruitiness builds, almost a glycerol feel, but it just shimmers down the palate, maybe falls a tad short but look at the width! Balancing alcohol, once again, Maestro Duckett knows how to balance big sweetness with crisp alcohol.. Gotta have a second glass…bigger hit of alcohol this time. Subtle oak and barley, but highly polished.

Lingering, honeyed oiliness, like you get out of a tokay or muscat.

It’s bringing tears to my eyes… just swallowed it the wrong way…

Well done mate, a knockout…put me down for an initial dozen…

Cheers,
Graham Wright
Oddbins Wine Auctions & The Odd Whisky Coy

Vat Out Of Hell

Nose: Sherry, but with sweet confectionery notes. Icing sugar on raspberries. Fruit flan on short crust pastry. Over time, Demerara sugar wafts out of the glass.
Palate: Beautiful silky mouthfeel – good oils and texture. Very creamy. High alcohol is well balanced and not obvious. With time, the dram changes: Vanilla custard. The crumble part of apple crumble. Quite meaty, too….a hint of lamb chops?
Finish: Still creamy. Only on the finish is the high alcohol apparent – and beautifully so, as the heat descends down your chest.

Watched the footy tonight (Essendon vs Carlton) whilst sipping the Vat Out of Hell……it’s a damned good footy dram!!

Andrew Derbidge
Director & Cellarmaster
NSW Manager
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society