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Review of The Exceptional Malt 2nd Edition.
 The Exceptional Malt 2nd Edition from Sutcliffe & Son is a blend of an extraordinary range of mature single malt casks, including Glenfarclas, Ben Nevis, Balvenie, Kininvie, Glenfiddich, Alt-a’Bhainne, Auchroisk, Glenallachie, Westport, Speyside and (of course) Macallan given Willie Phillips, former managing director of The Macallan distilleries, hand in this blended malt.
I am sure there are a few of you not familiar with Westport single malt whisky, well technically there is not a Westport distillery, Westport is the name often given to Glenmorangie in disguise, although not quite 100% pure Glenmorangie, it has one or two teaspoons of another malt added, usually Glen Moray. Westport is a common name for this, the reason for this is to prevent independent bottlers from using the name Glenmorangie on their labels.
All the component whiskies of the The Exceptional Malt 2nd Edition are blended and married in first-fill Oloroso sherry butts.
Spanning four decades, the component whiskies for each edition of
The Exceptional bottlings are selected for their individual (yet complementary) attributes, to create a harmonious whisky of layered complexity and great depth.
Bottled at 43% ABV, it has an RRP of £86 and it will be available from these specialist
Whisky Shops
William
Morrison's Tasting Notes:
Nose: A lovely gentle refined
nose which delicately reveals its
secrets, Scottish butter tablet and
honey, orange peel, raisins, dark
cherry.
Taste: A smooth delivery of
honey and lovely dark sherried fruit. A
touch of burnt raisins and sultanas,
orange, a light vanilla sweetness
raises its head over the lovely dark
fruit for a second, a touch of cloves
hiding there also, then the appearance
of a little cinnamon and dry ginger.
Finish: A long finish, mild sherried
fruit, ginger, touch of liquorice, mildly drying
oak.
Comment: I suspect there has been some outstanding mature whisky that has gone into this 2nd Edition, its maturity and sherried oak becomes more apparent with each mouthful. Some very high quality sherry casks at play here with this very well constructed blended malt. A lovely sherried dram which has been influenced by some of the most iconic Speyside distilleries. Certainly one for the sherried Macallan fans amongst you. What can I say except, Exceptional and my pick from The Exceptional whisky range.
SMW Score
91/100
You can find the The Exceptional whisky range available from specialist Whisky retailers such as
The Whisky
Exchange
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