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Cotswolds Inaugural Release

English Irish

2 084

@markjedi1Review by @markjedi1

1st Dec 2018

1

  • Nose
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  • Taste
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  • Finish
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  • Balance
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  • Overall
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  • Brand: Cotswolds
  • ABV: 46%

The first single malt of this English distillery was created with a distillate from September 2009 that matured on Kentucky barrels (70%) and former red wine casks (30%). The late Jim Swan had recommended this combination to owner Daniel Szor. In October 2017 the first batch – hence Inaugural Release – saw the light of day: 4000 bottles at drinking strength.

The nose is pleasantly creamy and sweet on all kinds of yellow and orange fruit (mandarin, peach, pineapple and banana) with a lot of vanilla and something that reminds me of sour cream. It is not unlike the better Irish whiskey in that regard.

Great mouthfeel with again that creamy element. Fruity and sweet with a fairly intense spiciness. Banana and pineapple come first, followed by citrus and baked apples. Some hard to pinpoint nuts. Malty heart with some wood towards the end, making it somewhat drying. Again, I am reminded of Irish whiskey.

The short finish starts sweet, but quickly dries up. It remains spicy until the end.

Well, what a pleasant whisky for such a young age. And while obviously English, it shows a lot of similarities with Irish whiskey. And English Irish… I’m sure Mr Szor does not like that, unless I also tell him that it reminds me of the better Irish work.

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