Abhainn Dearg Fine Oak Cask

I’m at it for some twenty years now, tried over 4500 whiskies and this distillery has been around since 2008 and even has a 10 years old out by now and yet I’ve never tried one of their offerings. Now, this is no surprise. Abhainn Dearg (say ‘aveen djeeruk’) – which means ‘red river’ – can be found on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides all the way in the northeast of Scotland and their produce is sold primarily to the locals. But whisky buddy Pat bought a bottle at the distillery during his visit in 2018 and offered me a sample. It’s a single cask release, cut to 46% ABV.

Very light, summer and grainy nose of fresh citrus (lime up front) with a hint of cardamom and vanilla. Freshly baked white bread and green apples, green grapes and quite vegetal. All in all, this is quite good. Nothing earth shattering, but nothing wrong with it either.

The body is quite light, almost watery. Holds the middle between sweet, salt and spicy. Again some raw grain, sugar that aspires to be caramel, nuts and vanilla. Something candy-like… wine gums? It turns a tad dirty towards the end on cardboard, sea salt and sand. Weird but interesting.

The finish is medium long and a bit fizzy, as if I just tasted some carbonated apple juice. Nuts in a cardboard box at the death.

Nice first encounter despite it being a very middle-of-the-road malt if I’m being honest. But amusing at least. Thanks, Pat.