Strathearn 4 Year Old 2014 Private Cask Club Cask 075

Last September, the first edition of the Dutch Whisky Festival took place in Arnhem, where both new stuff but also (very) old stuff could be tasted. And obviously they also had a festival bottling. It was a very young whisky by the very young distillery Strathearn. The boys of DWF shared an ex-sherry cask with the Dutch Whisky Society it seems. The spirit is non-peated. The whisky was bottled at cask strength.

The nose reveals the young age, but that doesn’t mean it does not smell good. I get sweet malt, raisins and apricot marmalade, but also something candy-like is if from sour Haribo bears. Some herbal notes in the background of ferns and roots and even a note of cow pat. That last note evaporates after some five minutes of breathing.

The arrival is quite sturdy. Sweet and sour on raisins and grapefruit (with pith), very spicy on cinnamon, cloves and pepper, reminding me somewhat of ginger bread candy, a typical Dutch treat associated with Sinterklaas (not Santa). Becomes more fruity with the second and third sip, but also somewhat drying.

The finish is medium long, dark & sweet and spicy, but leaves the mouth parched.

A lovely whisky from this new kid on the block. I do not think all these new projects will survive in the long run, but Strathearn gives me a good feeling with this young malt. I wonder how their whisky will evolve. Thanks to Jeroen for scoring me two bottles of this.