Classic Malts Distillers Editions 2019
Due For Release
THE QUAICH: THE SIX CLASSIC MALTS OF SCOTLAND
In 1988,
United Distillers and Vintners (UDV) came up with a great marketing idea for
the whisky enthusiast. They assembled six single malt whiskies, each selected
to best represent one of the malt whisky producing regions of Scotland, into a
presentation pack. UDV is owned by Diageo today, but the presentation pack
remains an excellent introduction to the various taste and aroma profiles of
single malt whiskies.
The Classic
Malts’ symbol is the Quaich, which, for ages, has been the traditional Scottish
drinking vessel. UDV’s regions differ from the usual definition of the
“standard regions” in that the western Highlands are separated from the rest of
the highlands. The distinction was probably made to separate Oban and
Dalwhinnie into two distinct regions.
Each year
Diageo presents new batches of the Distiller Editions series. These are six
whiskies which are known under the name "Classic Malts" in its
standard form, but are finished in wine, sherry or port wine casks to get a
special aromatic accent and to become a "Distillers Edition".
The
bottlings of the Distillers Edition are limited; the year of distillation and
bottling are given on the labels so that the annual batches can be
distinguished at a glance. The special casks that are used for the finishing
remain the same - Lagavulin, for example, is finished in Pedro-Ximenez casks
for the Distillers Edition, Dalwhinnie in Oloroso and Cragganmore in port wine
casks.
Distillers Editions 2019
Caol Ila Distillers Edition 2007/2019,
finished in Moscatel casks, 43% ABV Aroma: Pure and fruity with spice. In
addition, medical and smoky accents.
Taste: Sweetness and malt, followed by pure and fresh aromas. Complex and slightly dry with campfire and a hint of cinnamon.
Finish: Strong and lasting with many facets.
Taste: Sweetness and malt, followed by pure and fresh aromas. Complex and slightly dry with campfire and a hint of cinnamon.
Finish: Strong and lasting with many facets.
Cragganmore Distillers Edition 2006/2019,
finish: port wine casks, 40% ABV. Aroma: Sweet and fruity with a hint of smoke
and malt.
Taste: Complex and sweet with notes of smoke and fruit. In the background malt and oak.
Finish: Medium-long and dry with oak and sweet notes of banana, vanilla and cocoa.
Taste: Complex and sweet with notes of smoke and fruit. In the background malt and oak.
Finish: Medium-long and dry with oak and sweet notes of banana, vanilla and cocoa.
Dalwhinnie Distillers Edition 2004/2019,
finish: Oloroso sherry casks, 43% ABV
Aroma: Malty, spicy, with a sherry touch, honey and heather.
Taste: Initial spicy, then pure and sweet with grapes.
Finish: Dry with oak and strong vanilla notes.
Aroma: Malty, spicy, with a sherry touch, honey and heather.
Taste: Initial spicy, then pure and sweet with grapes.
Finish: Dry with oak and strong vanilla notes.
Glenkinchie Distillers Edition 2007/2019,
finish: Amontillado sherry casks, 43% ABV
Aroma: Complex and powerful. Sweet and dry notes with vanilla, grapes, nuts and malted barley.
&Taste: Sweet cookies in the beginning. Then malty and dry with grapes.
Finish: Long and dry with strong oak and a pinch of pepper.
Aroma: Complex and powerful. Sweet and dry notes with vanilla, grapes, nuts and malted barley.
&Taste: Sweet cookies in the beginning. Then malty and dry with grapes.
Finish: Long and dry with strong oak and a pinch of pepper.
Lagavulin Distillers Edition 2003/2019,
finished in PX sherry casks, 43% ABV
Aroma: Smoky with the slight sweetness of vanilla and raisins, joined by iodine and roasted malt.
Taste: Sweet with mouth-filling smoke, grass and malt. Coffee, vanilla and hints of salty tang and fruits.
Finish: Smoky and lasting with oak.
Aroma: Smoky with the slight sweetness of vanilla and raisins, joined by iodine and roasted malt.
Taste: Sweet with mouth-filling smoke, grass and malt. Coffee, vanilla and hints of salty tang and fruits.
Finish: Smoky and lasting with oak.
Oban Distillers Edition 2005/2019,
finished in Montilla Fino casks, Oban 43% ABV
Aroma: Spicy, fruity and maritime with grapes and orange peel. In addition, light smoke.
Taste: Soft and strong with malt and fruits.
Finish: Malty and slightly sweet with oak and coffee.
Aroma: Spicy, fruity and maritime with grapes and orange peel. In addition, light smoke.
Taste: Soft and strong with malt and fruits.
Finish: Malty and slightly sweet with oak and coffee.
Talisker Distillers Edition 2009/2019, finished
in Amoroso sherry casks, 45.8% ABV
Aroma: Pure and peppery-spicy with a raisin-like sweetness.
Taste: Smoky and slightly peppery with hints of heather, oak and ripe fruit. Sweet and oily.
Finish: Balanced, sweet and dry with cocoa, vanilla and smoke.
Aroma: Pure and peppery-spicy with a raisin-like sweetness.
Taste: Smoky and slightly peppery with hints of heather, oak and ripe fruit. Sweet and oily.
Finish: Balanced, sweet and dry with cocoa, vanilla and smoke.
THE KEEPERS
OF THE QUAICH: The Keepers of the Quaich, no relation to UDV’s Classic Malts’
campaign, are a society formed by Scotland’s whisky distillers in October 1988,
to advance the industry and raise funds for charitable causes in Scotland.
Membership is by invitation only and is reserved for individuals judged to have
made a significant contribution to the Scotch whisky industry. The Keepers
currently boast over 2,700 members hailing from 100 countries around the globe.
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