Wemyss Malts Lord Elcho

Lord Elcho is a brand new blend without an age statement with minimum 40% malt content. It enters the range next to a 15 years old blend with the same name.

The blend is named after the eldest son of the 5th Earl of Wemyss. David Elcho was a supporter of Bonnie Prince Charlie during the Jacobite uprising of 1745. After the decisive Battle of Cullodon he went into exile in France and never returned to his native Scotland.

Tasting Notes Colour: Wet straw, gold.

Nose: Initially a lot of fresh aromas. Citrus, grapefruit and ginger. Soft butter cake and fruity notes of grapes and melon. With water things get a little spicier. Pepper and juniper berry, sugared popcorn, lemon meringue and menthol sweets (little sweet green cones).

Taste: Fudge (caramel) with ginger confit or ginger candy and wine gums. In time it evolves towards dry oak tannins. A few drops of water add an extra dimension. More oak, vanilla, honey and a little spiciness. Aniseed and eucalyptus.

Finish: Dry and spicy. Pepper and chopped nuts. Medium finish with a slight metallic hint. Conclusion This is a blend as it should be. Pleasantly soft, spicy and easy-drinking. It really earned his Silver Medal on the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2014.

Price/quality relationship is excellent, certainly compared to the regular supermarket blend. Price will be around € 32 for a bottle. Specialised liquor shops (or online) are your best shot. And Father's Day approaches...

The sample was offered by Wemyss Malts for a Tweet Tasting organised by The Whisky Wire