MacRothes 11 Year Old 2009 King Cask

King Cask is a new Dutch bottler – started in 2020 – and this MacRothes is, as the name suggests, a blended malt consisting of Macallan and Glenrothes. I got a sample from my good friend Gunther in my hands and had to taste it blind. I didn't change my tasting notes after I shared them with Gunther and he told me what it was in return. From the hip!

Sweet, slightly unpleasant nose on baby breath after the fruit porridge. Reminiscent of dessert wine. A tad waxy. Citrus fruit and figs with a hint of dark beer. After a few minutes of breathing, a lot of notes of oak mix with something of freshly sawn wood and the crust of matured cheese. A bit strange, but pleasant enough and above all fascinating. After all, there is a lot going on here.

To taste, it is bittersweet with a sour note. Relatively high alcohol content, in my opinion, because it is a kick against the teeth and the saliva glands go into overdrive. Slightly rotting oranges (no off-note!), figs, sultanas, applesauce and brandy. Grape seeds and triple sec.

The finish lasts a very long time, is slightly spicy but above all fruity sweet again.

Special case, to be sure. But I like this. Tell me, Gunther! Which he did not much later and let me understand that it was this – indeed high-alcoholic – blended malt.