LIDL'S BEN BRACKEN SINGLE MALTS WELL INTO THE FRAY

                 EXCELLENT SCOTCH WHISKY AT MOUTH-WATERING PRICES

In December 2019, I had written about the quick progress being made by German Supermarket Giants Aldi and Lidl in producing their own made to order Scotch whiskies at unbelievably low prices and how their popularity was growing exponentially in the European Market. But the new Corona Virus did not spare either of them. Both Lidl and Aldi saw sales growth slow down during the pandemic in a struggle to compete with the UK’s Big Four that were bolstered by their online capabilities. 

Lidl is based out of Neckarsulm, Germany and first came to the United Kingdom in 1994. Since then, they have grown to 760 stores in locations across the country and have now reached across the pond with an estimated 300 stores in operation in the United States.

Neither Aldi or Lidl, which have both challenged the traditional UK supermarkets in recent years, have in-house grocery delivery capabilities, with consumers only able to buy digitally using third-party apps such as Deliveroo, units of which are being ramped up. Even so, Lidl and Aldi reported that sales were up 10.9 per cent and 5.6 per cent respectively in the 12 weeks to 21 February. This week, at a time when a trip to the supermarket is the highlight of most people’s week, British shoppers have voted German discounter Aldi as the best grocers to go for those venturing out and Aldi received a stellar five-star rating for value for money, buttressed by their expanding sales of made to order Scotch whiskies.

Lidl is not far behind in sales of Scotch whisky and has now gone one up. Amongst its frontrunners, Lidl boasts of a Speyside malt as well as two smoothies from Islay, one a 16 YO, all at prices that wouldn’t hurt your pocket as much as Scotch made by Scottish companies.  

Lidl has long offered affordable whisky in their spirits selection. Lidl announced in 2017 that a new range of single malts would be released, using a bit of manufacturing license in that it had named their brand Ben Bracken, a mite Gaelic, wouldn’t you say? Sourced from the Highlands, Speyside and Islay regions, they would retail at €19.99 a bottle. Be that as it may, the quality of these low-cost expressions is exceptional, the downers for the aficionado being the ABV at 40%, chill filtration and addition of caramel colour E150a.

They have a Glenalba single malt brand range of much older vintage and Abrachan for blended malts. The current range is bottled by ‘Clydesdale Whisky Co’ in Glasgow, not to be confused with the other Clydesdale independent bottler and supposedly related to Whyte & MacKay according to some sources.

THE BEN BRACKEN BASIC NAS RANGE 

Over the years Lidl supermarkets have had all kinds of Ben Bracken bottlings, some with age statements (12 Years, 16 Years, 28 Years…) many of which have only been released in the UK. Since 2017, they seem to have a standard NAS range with three expressions:

• Ben Bracken Highland single malt
• Ben Bracken Speyside single malt
• Ben Bracken Islay single malt

Ben Bracken Highland Single Malt 40% ABV

It is not stated on the label where the liquid is sourced from and I cannot say for certain exactly where this dram originated from. It is interesting to see that the Ben Bracken range is labelled by region, in terms of flavour profile. Frankly, these descriptors are good enough and I accept that for the target market this can be helpful rather than an oversimplification of Scotch styles. This bottling is the standard 40% ABV and has no age statement. Enthusiasts will discover that the age is somewhere in the 4-6 year range. They are priced at £17.49 a bottle, and at that price it is very hard to see how you can go wrong if you like whisky in general. It does not disappoint.

Nose: soaked oats, toffee, nutmeg and a light meaty edge. Overripe orange. It has a lot more weight to it than the Speyside but I find it a little less interesting. Lots of cereals and caramel, but nothing stands out.

Palate: Slightly rough at first contact, but smoothens over with time and a coupla drops of water, when it gains some freshness. Certainly more toast, toffee sweetness and a hint of chocolate. Cooked fruits. Cinnamon. A hint of roasted nuts.

Finish: medium, with hints of coffee, spice and chocolate. Oily, with the Chardonnay and apples making themselves known. Warming at the end.

Ben Bracken Islay Single Malt 40% ABV

Around  that same low cost again, for what’s close to a Caol Ila single malt. Loses out a lot for want of a proper ABV. But again, this is a price / quality ratio that is hard to criticise.

Nose: quite smoky, with hints of kippers and brine behind it. Some vanilla and almond sweetness in the background. Cigarette smoke. Sweet citrus. Hints of yeasty dough. Lacking some punch, it feels like a friendlier version of Big Peat.

Mouth: sweet mineral notes, with brine and spices. Plenty of cold ashes now, not bad. Lemons, hints of salted toffee. Hazelnut. Dilution hurt it a little though.

Finish: quite long, slightly high on the spices but also nicely oily.

Ben Bracken Speyside Single Malt 40% ABV

For its cost, this is a fair offer from Lidl. Nothing to get overly excited about but good value for money, even with the edge on the palate a cue to its young age.

Nose: fresh and not too bad actually. Banana ice cream, vanilla custard, raisins. Apricots in syrup. Sugary cereals, hints of honey. Faint nutty notes. Seems older than 3 years.

Mouth: less exciting. Even with the low ABV the alcohol isn’t really integrated. Apples, raisins, some peppery oak and plenty of malty notes. A little caramel too.

Finish: medium, with light oak spice and sweet malt.

Ben Bracken's 16 YO Islay Single Malt 43% ABV

While 2020 may not have been our best year, one thing we’ve certainly enjoyed is whisky. And a glimpse of another tonic, the vaccine to cope with the Corona Virus. We’ve all been wondering what’s around the corner and what the future holds. On the earthly front, other seasonal traditions are the whisky specials from the German supermarkets- A hopeful bargain, gift or an easy drinker. 

Aldi didn’t really go all out this year; perhaps they have a surprise in store. If you’re a supermarket looking to marry value with an attractive price tag, have things become truly impossible to deliver? Well, Lidl managed to pull off this special from Islay and bottled at 16 years of age. Created by the experienced hands at Whyte & Mackay, if you can find a bottle, then it’s yours for just £34.99. Wow!

A number of controversies were created around the whisky about its antecedents. Only one of the Islay distilleries is the true source, but speculation confirms the human condition to know more, and a refusal to believe that something is as good as it seems. Have we all become sceptical in whisky, that if something is too good to be true, then clearly it isn’t?

Maybe I’m just an experienced onlooker, or someone, who has been around the block more times than necessary and doesn’t want to do it again – I don’t really care what Islay distillery produced this. The price point of £34.99 and the availability of an age statement should remove any need for hot air. As long as the whisky is good enough and I’m happy with the experience that should be enough, shouldn’t it?

For the record, this Ben Bracken is bottled at 43% strength and chill filtered. I’m fine with that given the price. The packaging actually plays host to some wonderful moments such as cask aged for 16 years, matured in oak. What they don’t want to state is the distillery, or provide a clue as such, unlike many independent bottlers who have dropped hints where possible. There’s a rich colour on display, suggestive that E150a has been added to a sizeable degree, particularly given the omission when it comes to a natural colour statement. Again, you’d expect this feature given the price point.

Despite all these flaws, there’s no denying that the bottle looks a little more premium than the regular Ben Bracken releases. Some care and effort has been put into the presentation, so let’s hope that continues into the liquid.

Colour: Caramel.

On the nose: it has character despite the strength with a waft of peat kicking off proceedings. Pine cones, caramel and coastline character with driftwood, sea salt and old rope. Spices as well with black peppercorn and cloves. Charcoal, autumnal forest decay and Muscovado sugar. Adding water reveals notes of coffee, amber and old newspaper.

In the mouth: a more rounded peat, approachable and not overpowering at this strength. Nuttiness with walnuts and pecans. Cracked black pepper and smoky towards the finish. Shoe polish, black tea and charcoal with liquorice. Water on the palate reveals candied orange and varnish.

I’d certainly buy another bottle if I could find one on the shelves across the UK. 

GERMAN SUPERMARKET GIANT LIDL'S AGED SCOTCH WHISKIES

 EXCELLENT WHISKIES AT MOUTHWATERING PRICES

Lidl Catching Up With Aldi

In December 2019, I had written about the quick progress being made by German Supermarket Giants Aldi and Lidl in producing their own made to order Scotch whiskies at unbelievably low prices and how their popularity was growing exponentially in the European Market. 

Lidl is based out of Neckarsulm, Germany and first came to the United Kingdom in 1994. Since then, they have grown to 760 stores in locations across the country and have now reached across the pond with an estimated 300 stores in operation in the United States.

British shoppers have voted German discounter Aldi as the best grocers to go for those venturing out and Aldi received a stellar five-star rating for value for money, buttressed by their expanding sales of made to order Scotch whiskies.

Lidl has long offered affordable whisky in their spirits section. They have a Glenalba brand (much older) and Abrachan for blended malts. The current range is bottled by ‘Clydesdale Whisky Co’ in Glasgow, not to be confused with the other Clydesdale independent bottler and supposedly related to Whyte & MacKay according to some sources. I'll examine and review the Glenalba Range first.

Brought out in 2015, the Glenalba range includes a 22 Year Old, a 25 Year Old and a 34 Year Old that received an incredible 95.5 out of 100 points in Jim Murray’s 2017 Whisky Bible.

What makes Lidl’s Scotch different however, is the fact that it’s actually pretty damn impressive. The company have already won two Gold awards and six Silver awards in the Scotch Whisky Category at the International Spirits Challenge. Perhaps the most compelling part of the Lidl range is that it is not expensive, and varies in price from around £30 upwards. The Glen Alba 34 Year Old, the oldest of the malts, retails at £44.99, is the perfect example of why Lidl have done so well in the Scotch category.

Glen Alba 22 Year Old: The Youngest

The youngest of the bunch is Glen Alba 22, a 22 YO with a Sherry cask finish. Priced at just £29.99, this is a brilliantly fruity expression, with just the right amount of malty spice peaking through. The nose conjures images of rich orchards bursting with multiple varieties of fruit, all dusted with a cinnamon hue. Apples, orange, bananas and pears are all present in the first whiff with great distinction to each.  They are sweet and juicy, just beckoning to be plucked from the bough. With a healthy dose of spice on top, the nose is only a sign of just what is to come. There are also hints of rich malt and oaky woodiness throughout the nose.

These flavours are boosted on the palate and the blend really comes alive. The fruit takes a dry, tangy turn and is wonderfully complemented by the subtle dullness of the oak.  The Sherry of the barrels can be tasted in the fruit and the characteristic combination of sweet and spice. Overall the palate has a warming clarity of flavours, with the fruits and oak being separate and complementary all at once. The finish is quick and the warming qualities becoming ever more apparent.

Glen Alba 25 Year Old

The Glen Alba YO is also finished in a Sherry cask, and a refined and sophisticated step up from Glenalba 22. The opening nose is dark and strong, and although not immediate, the rich sweetness and spice can be detected just under the surface. Upon further inspection, there is a deep fruity flavour with nutty overtones reminiscent of the Sherry cask.  The sweetness of the fruit is perfectly complemented with hazelnuts and cashews making an appearance every now and then. There is a distinct caramel flavour to the sweetness, intertwining with the nuttiness to create a wonderful combination.

On the palate, the mouth feel is super smooth, with the creamy caramel really standing out. Chocolate oranges and candied citrus peels make their way to the forefront, with the tell tale Sherry spice to give them depth and sophistication.  The warming qualities of the 22-Year-Old are even more evident in Glen Alba 25 and they make this the perfect dram for enjoying across from a blazing fire on a cold winter’s night.

The finish is dry and filled with plenty of fruit and spice, extending that warming sensation right to the end.

Glen Alba 34 Year Old

This expression has been matured in sherry casks and was first distilled in 1981. It is brimming with flavours and opens with a nose of sweet and spice. It is the ideal Christmas dram, with lots of warming aromas, like cinnamon and apple pie, and a delicate hint of gingerbread. The spices are easy going and perfect for sipping round an open fire. They combine well with the various fruits that also make an appearance, including fresh cooking apples and citrus fruits. There is an orange tang that goes excellently with the cinnamon spice. This develops into a sweeter marmalade flavour that is combined with chewy fudge and dark chocolate. These sweeter flavours give a nice backdrop for the spices to play off. On the palate, this dram is incredibly smooth, as one would expect after 34 years. It goes down easy and is full of flavour.

The sweet marmalade and dark chocolate come together well on the palate and are joined with similar flavours, such as bitter coffee and liquorice. There is also a distinctly almond flavour that ties in well. It becomes more like marzipan in texture and taste as the dram continues, bringing together the sweet chocolate and fruit flavours as it goes. This is brings in oak wood as well, with a slightly vanilla and cinnamon edge to it. This grows and deepens into a maple syrup flavour that coats the chocolate and wood and combines them all in harmony.

The finish continues along the sweet note, with one final kick of cinnamon to tie it altogether. This Glen Alba is a dram definitely worth enjoying while reminiscing about days gone by in cozy surroundings.

Abrachan Blended Malt

Abrachan Blended Malt is an expression produced by Lidl and is part of the standard spirits range. It comprises of single malt whiskies which have been matured in 3 different casks; Bourbon Barrels, Oloroso Sherry Butts and Tawny Port Pipes before being vatted together to make the blend. It doesn’t carry an age statement, but is bottled at a moderate 42%. 

Despite being only £17.99 a bottle, it has won several awards including Silver at the 2014 IWCS and 2015 International Spirits Challenge.

Nose: Rich fruit jumps out at first — sherry Christmas cake, but sweeter more candied fruit as well. A hint of vanilla too and some malty notes. Big fig flavours appear but there’s a dark sugar / treacle undercurrent. Black cherries detected and then perfumed sugar with pear drops. A really pleasant, mouthwatering nose.

Quite a rich mouthfeel — smooth arrival with the dark cherries being the first flavour, but then quickly overtaken with some more bitter notes. Clove and orange can be detected, but then burnt toffee, dried ginger and bitter dark chocolate with some leathery dryness. It sweetens up with dried fruit just before the finish.

Finish:  The finish isn’t hugely long, but there’s a woody dryness which keeps it lingering and the oily texture prevents it being washed away. Really very pleasant.

Overall: I think anyone blind-tasting Abrachan would judge it to be more expensive than is it. It’s a good whisky anyway, but when you factor in the price, it makes it a great whisky. Whilst not the most complex of spirits, the flavours are very good and it balances being approachable and interesting with ease. At £17.99 a bottle, this is definitely a bottle to take along.

THE MORRISONS, ISLAY AND SPECTACULAR RELEASES

 MORRISON SCOTCH WHISKY DISTILLERS: NEW CARN MOR COLLECTION
FOLLOWED BY TWO MAC-TALLA SPECIAL RELEASES

The Morrisons: One of Scotland's Oldest Whisky Families

The Morrisons started out as grocers during the 18th century but have since grown into whisky brokers, blenders, bottlers and now, distillers. They have a colourful story and a selection of some of the finest Scotch whiskies and liqueurs in their inventory.

Morrison & Mackay rebranded to Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers in October 2020, ahead of the launch of a new range of whiskies. The company has undergone a transformation since transferring to the sole ownership of Brian and Jamie Morrison last year and its executive team, led by managing director Douglas Crawford, has ambitious plans for the future. The distillery site has seen significant recent investment and the brand range has been overhauled. In the coming years Morrison plans to release Aberargie Single Malt Scotch Whisky, distilled in their purpose-built facility in Aberargie, just outside Perth.

Bowmore Distillery: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

There are claims that Bowmore’s distillery started operation in 1779, but there’s no evidence of whisky being made until a certain John Simpson took out a licence in 1816. It wouldn’t be until 1837 when the Glasgow blending firm, Wm & Jas. Mutter took over that it began to gain traction and reputation. In 1841, Windsor Castle requested a cask of Bowmore – this being a time when the English palate was considered too delicate (or Scotch too bold). As often happens, the distillery passed through a number of hands before in this case it was bought, in 1963, by broker Stanley P. Morrison. The Morrison era saw the start of what is recognised as a legendary period in Bowmore’s history – its mid-1960s bottlings are legendary.

The distillery was substantially modernised with an innovative heat recovery system not only cutting down on fuel bills but creating sufficient excess hot water to heat the town’s swimming pool. In 1989 the Japanese distiller Suntory bought a stake in the distillery and took full control in 1994, the year after the ground-breaking Black Bowmore was launched.

In 2014 Suntory bought Jim Beam which, from an Islay perspective, sees two of Islay’s most iconic single malts (Bowmore and Laphroaig) under the same ownership. Morrison reclaimed dealing rights under Beam Suntory and launched a new saga of Islay peated whisky.

Glen Garioch Distillery: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Although the date of Glen Garioch is officially given as 1797, there are substantiated claims yet of it producing legally at an even earlier date, a claim which if proved true would make this Oldmeldrum plant the oldest distillery in Scotland. It would make sense that there was whisky being distilled in The Garioch – a fertile part of Aberdeenshire long given over to arable farming.

Whatever the date of its formation, Glen Garioch survived when other eastern distilleries foundered. The layout inside Glen Garioch is typical of a centuries-old site, with small rooms being added on and converted into use as production increased, but it contains relatively modern kit. The mash tun, squeezed into a tiny chamber, has a lauter system; the washbacks, in another tight room nearby, are stainless steel. The stillhouse with a panoramic window facing the road has three stills, but only one pair is used. Ferments are short, giving a deep cereal and spice note to the new spirit which also has a distinctive waxy, tallow-like, character. When mature, the heaviness changes into a thick, fat texture, allowing honeyed fruits and heather to emerge.

Glen Garioch had always struggled for water and it was felt that this would impact on an increase in production. Owner DCL’s response to this in 1968 was to close Glen Garioch, and re-open Brora. Two years later, Glasgow broker Stanley P. Morrison [Bowmore, Auchentoshan] bought it. A new source of water was found and production not only restarted, but increased. Morrison’s brought in the same design of heat recovery system it had installed at Bowmore and heated two acres of greenhouses where tomatoes were grown.

Heavily peated malt was produced until 1995 when the distillery closed once more. It reopened two years later, though by now the peat had gone (as had the distillery’s own maltings) since a different style was being made. Even so, in recent years small batches of smoky barley have once again been run.

Auchentoshan Distillery: Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Legal whisky-making started here on the banks of the Clyde in 1817 when the Duntocher distillery was built by John Bulloch. Like many early start-ups it had a chequered early history, it went bust and changed hands regularly, being renamed Auchintoshan (sic). It was one of a number of distilleries purchased by brewers in the 1960s and the Auchentoshan upgraded distillery was bought by Stanley P Morrison in 1984. It is now part of Beam Suntory. Unusually, all of its production is used for single malt.

Auchentoshan’s claim to fame is that it is the only distillery in Scotland which exclusively uses triple distillation. The wash still operates as per normal, while the spirit coming from the intermediate still is split into two, with only the high-strength ‘heads’ being carried forward for the final distillation. The low-strength ‘tails’ are mixed with the next distillation from the wash still.

The ‘heads’ are then mixed with the ‘feints’ from the previous spirit still distillation and a cut with an average strength of 81% is taken. A short fermentation gives Auchentoshan a cereal note which acts as a grounding flavour during maturation as well as balancing the high-toned citric notes. Its high strength means that it can easily be overpowered by oak. Consequently, the older the expression, the more ‘relaxed’ the wood influence is.

McClelland's Profile: Single Malt Scotch Whisky

McClelland’s is a truly enduring brand from the days of the old Stanley P. Morrison whisky dynasty. It now rests in the Beam Suntory fold having been launched in 1986 as a range of unidentified single malt expressions based on four of Scotland’s distilling regions: Islay, Highland, Lowland and Speyside. Each expression is bottled at 40% ABV. McClelland's key export markets include the US, Canada, France, Japan, South Africa, Taiwan, South America, and Sweden.

Stanley P. Morrison Ltd acquired the blending and exporting business of fellow Glasgow company T & A McClelland in 1970, the history of which stretches back to the establishment of Bladnoch distillery in 1817. With the acquisition came the McClelland’s brand name, and in 1986 the first of McClelland’s single malt range was launched.

Highland, Islay, and Lowland bottlings were the first to be introduced with a Speyside edition added in 1999. A 12-year-old Speyside followed in 2008. A major repackaging exercise took place in 2007 as the portfolio was relaunched.

Morrison Bowmore Distillers Profile

Morrison Bowmore Distillers operates three Scotch malt whisky distilleries and offers four brands. The firm’s three distilleries are the Lowland Auchentoshan, close to Glasgow, the Highland Glen Garioch in Aberdeenshire and Bowmore on the Isle of Islay. As well as marketing a range of single malts from these distilleries, Morrison Bowmore also uses the McClelland’s name for unspecified single malt bottlings. McClelland’s is one of the most enduring brands from the days of the old Stanley P. Morrison whisky dynasty. It now rests in the Beam Suntory fold having been launched in 1986 as a range of unidentified single malt expressions based on four of Scotland’s distilling regions: Islay, Highland, Lowland and Speyside. Each expression is bottled at 40% ABV. The list of all their products is placed infra. Only the Single and Blended Malts survive. The standard blends did not make much of a noise and died gracefully.

BOWMORE: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1953 and 2014)
GLEN GARIOCH: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1970)
AUCHENTOSHAN: Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1984)
McCLELLAND'S: Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1986)
OLD PERTH: Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (1979 onwards)
QE2: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
15 PARA BLEND: Blended Scotch Whisky
ARGYLL: Blended Scotch Whisky
BRAE DEW: Blended Scotch Whisky
CLANROY: Blended Scotch Whisky
CLYDEBANK: Blended Scotch Whisky
I.D.S.: Blended Scotch Whisky
ISLAY HALLMARK: Blended Scotch Whisky
ISLAY LEGEND: Blended Scotch Whisky
PREMIERS: Blended Scotch Whisky
ROB ROY: Blended Scotch Whisky
WOLF LEGEND: Blended Scotch Whisky

THE OLD PERTH SAGA

Old Perth was historically a blend of Speyside, Highland and Islay malts along with North British grain, aged up to 12 years. Blender Peter Thomson had a strong relationship with Macallan distillery, so the Speyside’s malt was included as well. The Old Perth brand is a tribute to the city of Perth in Scotland. The label disappeared in the 1970s only to be resurrected in 2013 by independent bottlers, Morrison & Mackay. This sherried variant allegedly includes malts from Glenfarclas, Blair Athol and Glentauchers, all matured in the three main sherry cask types: butts, puncheons and the smaller hogsheads. A cask strength bottling is also available, at 58.6% ABV.

Morrison & Mackay’s core bottling was the Old Perth Original Blended Malt (Release No 4) – built around ex-Bourbon matured Aultmore. All the constituents are aged between four to six years to create an approachable, sweet and ‘moreish’ dram bottled at 43% ABV.

They also marketed various expressions of the Old Perth, basing it on a proven malt from a specific distillery and then blending it with other single malts to create aged Blended malt. This 23 YO expression is a blend of Sherried butts including  Macallan, Tamdhu, Bunnahabhain, Highland Park and Glenrothes.

Old Perth Peaty Blended Malt: Released in late 2015, this peated blended malt whisky is comprised of malt whiskies from 4 different distilleries on the Western islands of Scotland. Old Perth Peaty is bottled at 43% ABV.

THE CARN MOR COLLECTION

Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers have other products in place of the lost blends. They showcase this unique balancing act of old meeting new through a diverse whisky portfolio. They keep whisky making traditions at the heart of their process, while embracing innovation. Their range currently includes a selection of rare and limited single cask bottlings alongside a single malt whisky liqueur. They have planned two more releases of single malts a couple of months from now, which will further strength the variety of their offerings.

The existing products are grouped under three headings:

The Strictly Limited Collection: Each of the three collections exist to reflect different age, strengths and batch sizes. Firstly, “Strictly Limited” batches come from 17 separate distilleries with their names prominently displayed as well as the bottler’s. All brands, from Inchgower to Teaninich to Longmorn to Mortlach, etc. are aged between 9-13 years and bottled at 47.5% ABV.

The Celebration of the Cask Collection: The second collection “Celebration of The Cask" houses whiskies from single casks and bottled at cask strength. There are 17 brands in this collection too, from Glenrothes to Fettercairn to Clynelish to Imperial, and aged between 20-30 years.

The Family Reserve Collection:

The third and most rare collection, “Family Reserve” is the jewel in the crown. Extremely limited and rare single casks, each one is hand selected individually by either Brian or Jamie Morrison. Displayed in wooden boxes, each one shall come with the family’s connection to this cask and their personal memories of the cask displayed inside the box. Family Reserve is the only series in the Càrn Mòr range to carry the signature of a family member. The first is a Macallan 27 YO.

                        THE TWO NEW ISLAY SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKIES

                                            Mac-Talla Terra and Mara 

The two new Islay Single Malt Scotch Whiskies

The Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers company has just introduced the hitherto mystery Islay whisky brand planned for Spring 2021, viz. the Mac-Talla Single Malt Whiskies. It consists of two separate peated Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky expressions that are neither chill filtered nor do they sport E150A colour.

Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers are known for their new Carn Mor whiskies and the Old Perth. The name Morrison has been synonymous with whisky in Scotland for five generations and is also well known on Islay. It is closely linked to a distillery there. However, it is not yet known which distillery is producing the Mac-Talla Single Malt Whiskies.

Mac-Talla stands for “echo” in Gaelic and is intended to reflect the close connection between the Morrison family and Islay, the press release reports. The names Terra (earth) and Mara (sea) refer to the formative elements of the island. The whisky for both bottlings was matured in ex-Bourbon barrels. Terra is bottled at 46% ABV, Mara at 58.2% ABV. Both do not display age statements.

Official tasting notes of the Ma-Talla Islay Single Malt Scotch Whiskies

Terra Classic Islay

A lot of peat on the nose, freshly burned campfire, with light citrus notes, the sweetness of quince and a bit of pepper. A lot of smoke and peat on the palate, then a nice malty sweetness and some fresh oak notes. Alcohol hardly noticeable. Medium finish, peat, malt candy and oak.

Mara Cask Strength

Heavy peat and the smell of campfire embers fill your nose. Fresh notes of citrus and freshly ground black pepper. On the palate a flood of peat and salty smoke, which meets a malty sweetness. The alcohol is very well integrated, the finish is clearly long with a strong peaty note and spicy oak.

Due Any Moment: The Mac-Talla Strata is the third of the three whiskies in the Mac-Talla launch range: a 15 YO age stated expression. Using the signature Morrison bottle in a rich olive colour to convey cues of peated Islay whiskies and a touch of smoke, passport-style etched illustrations capture scenes and stories from the island as a finishing touch. A range of whiskies that, like the island they came from, echo in the memory for evermore.

Borrowing from the visual language of travel, Thirst Craft Packaging Designers created for Morrison a ticket inspired layout that tells a story of the liquid inside and encourages the drinker to start their journey to the world of Islay whisky. Each label is layered with the texture of foils and embosses reminiscent of stamps and finishes on old travel tickets, with three cuts taken from the top label to symbolise the three generations of the Morrison Family who have been involved with whisky from Islay.