Liquor Library Enviable Speyside Blended Malt 1996 Aged 24 Years

Style: Fruity and Malty

Rating: ☆ [Recommended]

Nose:

Spicy wind of black peppercorn blows on the top, while fresh papaya, overripe tangerines and poached pears swirling on ground level. A curious limestone flick, light nutmeg and cinnamon dust falling upon the golden malt. Glazed ginger dices, carrot cake with a thin layer of vanilla cream. White floral confectionaries beaming softly. Red chillies and barley tail.

Palate:

Creamy malt and yellow fruits fuse together and lay out at the front. Pear drops and orchard fruits building around a solid WGS-esque barley core. Soft floral fragrance filling up the last blanket to complete a nice, round sweetness. Sliced ginger. Cinnamon and nutmeg dust slowly piling up over time. A bit of umami and wood smoke in the back drop, am I detecting the faintest hint of peat here? Another hot chilli injection. Mocha, walnut and oak settling in at the back. Coconut Jaffa cake to finish.

Finish:

Sweet agar agar with more coconut shavings. Assorted boiled fruits, barley slightly brushed with lime and orange cordial.

Thoughts:

I was told that "Enviable Speyside" is now the new code name for Balvenie, I guess you learn something new everyday. Although I like the sound of Burnside a bit more, it does give you a sense of mystery doesn't it? Now, back to this whisky, I think it is, or at least, showing traits that reminds me of Glenfiddich/ Balvenie. The style is quite typical, with a good level of fruitiness at the front, and layers of malt and subtle notes from behind. Not necessarily my favourite style (since Snow Phoenix), but it is still a beautifully crafted spirit that makes it an excellent sipper.

[52.1% | Independent Bottling | 1996 Distilled | 2020 Bottled | Single Cask | Non Chill Filtered | Non Coloured | Hogshead | *]

Originally published on Instagram