New Malts from A.D. Rattray

Here's the new bumper crop of casks from our friends the Morrisons:

Aberfeldy 18 Year Old A.D. Rattray Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky $105.99 – Quite floral and perfumy on the nose with hints of lavender, but nothing like the late 80s stuff from Bowmore. This is rather malty in the middle and it finishes with a nice kiss of vanilla on the back. A fun expression from an often overlooked distillery.

Benriach 23 Year Old A.D. Rattray Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky $115.99 – Much leaner than the more textural distillery releases, this is similar to our 21 year old Linkwood cask with that soft fruit and those light Speyside grain notes. Kyle really liked this one.

Bunnahabhain 23 Year Old A.D. Rattray Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky $139.99 – I really love older Bunnahabhain, when the earthy fruit mingles seamlessly with the more subtle peat flavors. This is textbook. Lots of delicate subtle flavor from a cask that’s down to 45% naturally.

Glencadam 22 Year Old A.D. Rattray Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky $105.99 – Glencadam is part of the odd Angus Dundee portfolio along with Tomintoul – distilleries that don’t have too much presence here in the U.S. Of the few Glencadams I’ve tasted, this is right line with what I’ve previously experienced: rather chewy and oily on the initial sip with some plump fruit and vanilla on the back end.

Tamdhu 24 Year Old A.D. Rattray Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky $119.99 – I really enjoy the opportunity to try old Tamdhu casks from time to time because there are some great old malts to be had. This is one of them – soft fruits, rustic Scotch flavor, vanilla, sweet grains, and bit of honey. Lovely.

-David Driscoll