The Member Small Batch Extra this month is the delectable Firkin Whisky Co. Firkin Benrinnes 2008 Madeira Cask from their ‘Firkin Rare’ Range. A single cask, limited edition, numbered bottling of only 259 bottles.
The Firkin Benrinnes 2008 Madeira Cask (in fact all of the Firkin Rare range) is aged in custom ‘hybrid’ casks made of alternating American first-fill bourbon and new French Limousin oak staves. This Double Oak cask, in combination with the spicy richness of Madeira, creates a unique flavour profile. What emerges is rich, lively and a tad spicy.
When the ex- ‘Head of Malts’ at mega-booze-company Diageo (the man responsible for such things as Johnny Walker Blue Label and the ‘Classic Malts Collection’) teams up with the owner of ‘Blackadder International’ independent bottlers you get a marriage of decades of experience of whisky production with a newfound freedom to experiment! Oh – and also a Firkin lovely range of independently bottled single cask whiskies.
We first offered a Firkin Whisky Co. release back in early 2020, and the superb Firkin Aultmore 2010 last month and the response is always HUGE! And so, by popular demand, we’ve got another offering from this firkin awesome independent bottler with a firkin massive pedigree.
Nose: Wow – very interesting and a bit difficult to pin down. For me, there’s an almost salted meat overtone right at the start (almost like an Islay without the tar, iodine and smoke) – but that seems to morph into honey and then sour lollies (eg warheads)
Palate: Nice and oily, coats mouth beautifully with a warm sweet vibe. That salty/savoury note found in the nose is conspicuously absent on the palate – but the honey continues (albeit muted), alongside sweet green apples or pears. A medium spice at the back of the mouth. Warming and sweet and easily
Finish: A nice rolling spicey and sweet finish that lingers long enough to count as chewy in my humble opinion. Fades out with a residual warmth.
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