Extra than simply the packaging has modified for indie bottler Single Cask Nation (SCN) since final we checked in on them. Originally of 2024, the model introduced their acquisition by Artisanal Spirits Co., house owners of one other, greater bottler you could have heard of, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Founders Joshua Hatton and Jason Johnstone-Yellin inform us that the entire SCN group is staying on board and never a lot will change with the “Nation” aside from new entry to much more whisky.
Whereas we’ve lined fairly just a few SCN online-only releases in recent times, we haven’t taken a take a look at the retail aspect of issues and by no means something from their worldwide markets. We’re correcting that as we speak, albeit embarrassingly late, with a deep dive into the spring 2023 choices, a few of which can nonetheless be sitting on just a few cabinets in the UK, Canada, Japan, Germany, and Israel. It’s an eclectic lot that features some extra uncommon Scotch choices in addition to a Swedish single malt and a Guyanese rum distilled on a picket pot nonetheless. With out additional ado.
Single Cask Nation Mackmyra 13 Years Previous – Aged in a first-fill bourbon barrel and reportedly chosen alongside the 2022 launch that was provided completely to Nation members on-line. It’s flexing one other impressively low-proof cask energy providing from the Swedish distillery’s subterranean cask storage, but it surely’s fairly a special animal from the virgin oak-aged providing. The aroma is recent and woodsy with sawdust, a little bit of barrel char, and pecan shells. On the palate, prime notes of recent grated baking spice are wealthy and warming, giving strategy to a little bit of gooey apple turnover on the midpalate and a candy, peppery end of recent minimize firewood and stone fruit. 256 bottles. 95 proof. B+ / $110
Single Cask Nation Linkwood 12 Years Previous – Aged in a first-fill French oak hogshead. Thank the group at Single Cask Nation for rescuing this one from a few of Diageo’s extra standard blends, the place it absolutely would have ended up in any other case. The nostril is elegant and earthy and gently spiced, layered with cinnamon syrup and a aromatic grassiness like freshly mowed hay. On the palate, a burst of wealthy, syrupy barley sugar segues to apple butter and gentle pipe smoke. The end is lengthy and velvety with darkish caramels, a little bit of black pepper, and candied orange peel. Excellent. 270 bottles. 110.4 proof. A / $125
Single Cask Nation Uitvlugt Rum 24 Years Previous – This rum was distilled on the Uitvlugt Distillery in Guyana on a Versailles nonetheless, one of many oldest pot stills on the planet and certainly one of solely two picket stills left in existence. Aged in a second-fill bourbon hogshead. The aroma is punchy with a sugary funk, a bit of commercial – however not unwelcome – plasticity and ethereal notes of canned pineapple juice and honeycomb. Early, candy-sweet notes of Haribo peaches and banana Runts turn into cream soda and low ice cream on the midpalate earlier than an extended, lush end of clove, vanilla bean, and Twizzlers. All rum stills ought to apparently be product of wooden. 219 bottles. 100.2 proof. A / $210
Single Cask Nation Croftengea 18 Years Previous – One of the crucial closely peated kinds from Loch Lomond Distillery, this expression of Croftengea has been aged in a second-fill bourbon hogshead. The nostril showcases an unusually unique smoke with notes of burnt cinnamon stick, a Christmas tree bonfire, and overcooked S’mores. On the palate, issues are extra acquainted with silky notes of baked apple, flamed lemon peel, and baklava. The smoke doesn’t even actually present itself till the end with hints of burning fatwood and cigar ash. A fascinating single malt. 284 bottles. 101.2 proof. A- / $125
Single Cask Nation Benrinnes 11 Years Previous – Completed for 21 months in a first-fill sherry hogshead. This can be a brooding, meaty whiskey with a well-balanced sherry dimension. The aroma kicks off with currants and aged balsamic vinegar earlier than going full cask home with previous oak, darkish chocolate, and damp basement notes. The palate is initially savory with mesquite BBQ and a few peppered bacon earlier than shortly turning sweeter with stewed darkish berries, Demerara syrup, and sugared almonds. The end continues to pile on the sweets with heat praline and chocolate cherry cookies. 240 bottles. 106.4 proof. A- / $90
Single Cask Nation Longmorn 23 Years Previous – Aged in a second-fill bourbon hogshead. Tender and supple on the nostril with notes of lemon curd, inexperienced tea, and darkish vanilla bean. Because it opens, a little bit of tinned pear emerges alongside a refined previous furnishings word. The palate is oily with a good, simmering heat. Notes of poached pear, spice cake, and lemon shortbreads dusted in powdered sugar are impressively hefty however dissolve a bit too shortly in a finale of natural tea and minted syrup. 260 bottles. 103.6 proof. B+ / $250
Single Cask Nation Linkwood 12 Years Previous
$125
