Tennessee Whiskey 13 Year Old 2003 for MMM

Every year Manny and I try to release something special in our MMM series. In 2016 it was the Python in the Animal Series: the first (and so far only) independent bottling of the French single malt Armorik. In the Galaxy Series in 2017 we presented an Invergordon 1988 single grain. For this year, it is the second release in the Antartica Series. We crossed the pond to the US and found this fantastic single barrel of Tennessee Whisky from 2003. But we had to promise to keep the distillery top secret. While we are not fond of this, the whiskey does speak for itself and we did not hesitate. Once we had tried it, we knew we definitely wanted it.

The nose is very fruity on mango, baked pears, cherries and lots of almonds, but also nicely spiced with pepper, vanilla and nutmeg. But what jumps out at you is that this nose immediately reminds you of Saint Nicholas (not to be confused with Santa Claus). Gingerbread and speculoos, some roasted nuts and sniffing tobacco. This is a very interesting nose.

Upon arrival, your mouth will be aflame, thanks to the spices. Bakery spcies and a single chili pepper. Then the sweetness strikes without mercy. Italian espresso with foam, cherries, rum raisins, some mango and apricots and corn on the barbecue. Deliciously succulent with a mild floral touch of violets. Wonderfully creamy and mouth-coating.

The spices fade gently in the long finish, leaving the mouth mildly dry and honeysweet.

A cascade of aromas… a veritable gem of a Tennessee whiskey and a nice addition to the series of Mark & Manny’s Malts. Available for 115 EUR at www.mmmalts.com. Limited, as always, to 50 bottles.