More from Cut Your Wolf Loose

Another random array of drams recently enjoyed at Cut Your Wolf Loose – now in its second year [WLP].

.

Ben Nevis 2012 09yo Thompson Bros [166 bts] 50% WB82.29[9]

• N: With a lactic coppery beer cologne vibe, this Marmite distillery just got marmite-er!
• T: Relatively less weird to taste with a curious greasy mouthfeel.

• F: Clear beer-like maltiness on the finish – flat warm London Pride being the final consensus on the beer.
• C: Barmy if not quite weird or terrible enough not to drink. Tough love!

Scores 81 points

.

Teaninich 2010/2021 Scotch Universe Theia I – 138° U.2.1′ 1817.1″ 52.8% WB86.10[34]

• C: This would be a great place to start if you’re unfamiliar with this idiosyncratic distillery. An ideal release with which to set your Teaninich profile bar to.

Scores 86 points

.

Tamdhu 2006/2014 14yo Scotch Universe Eris 1 – 177° U.4.1′ 1897.2″ 54.2% WB85.71[35]

A first-fill rioja wine barrique is credited.

• N,T,F: A clean congenial malty raisin juice number that’s faithful to its building blocks. Even with water, all the elements are present here with an added acidity.
• C: A bottle wouldn’t last long. If I could find a Scotch Universe retailer in the UK, I’d purchase one.

Scores 86 points

.

Blair Athol 2008/2022 Scotch Universe Box Nebula II – 155° U.2.1′ 1798.1” 57.2% WB86.67[45]

• C: Although a first-fill oloroso sherry butt is credited, it comes across as a wonderfully ‘natural’ non-adulterated Blair Athol with little cask chatter. Rich oily waxy essence of barley mash and a touch yeasty, I think I favour this even more than the Tamdhu.

Scores 87 points

.

Ben Nevis 1996/2019 22yo Thompson Brothers [561 bts] 44.4% WB88.76[90]

• C: Slightly thin on the palate yet complex & brilliant on the nose [with jam on white bread, the takeaway tasting note]. A fine finish too from a cracking refill sherry butt.

Provisionally Scores 88 points

.

Glenburgie 1995/2022 27yo Thompson Bros [245 bts] 52.3% WB89[7]

• C: The Foz is aiming high from the off. “I think that’s the best Glenburgie I’ve ever had”, he says. I enjoy a little sip and concur, it’s a beauty.

Provisionally scores [+/-]90

.

There’s more? There’s always more. These two were enjoyed back at Peter’s Palace, compliments of the birthday boy himself.

Girvan 2007/2022 15yo Dramfool Festival Edition [69 bts] 61.3% WB88[1]

A 2022 Newcastle Whisky Indi Love Fest release, the label states: ‘Matured in a bourbon hogshead for 12 years then an ex-Avian Gull Oloroso Octave for 3 years‘.

• C: Reminiscent of some even younger sherried Strathclyde’s, this is a delicious young grain with a nutty bite from that fabulous Avian Gull Oloroso Octave. Superb grain at just 15 years.

Scores 87 points

.

Inchgower 2016/2022 05yo Murray McDavid Festival Release Single Cask #1700080 [btl #274/299] 53.6% WB86[7]

I must do a dedicated post about the historic 5yo one day, a credible time-honoured age statement for many distilleries across the decades.

• C: This was a 2022 Spirit of Speyside Festival release, an honest, candid, youthful, and very likeable malt in the Straight From the Cask sherried Edradour style. With an upbeat filthy funk, this one swings between sweet this and savoury that – think piccalilli, chutney, silverskin onions, coffee, and chocolate = delicious filth.

Scores 86 points

.

The next day, Peter would treat us to a fabulous red wine:

.

I’m kidding, that was awful. This, however, was the bomb:

.

.