Chieftains The Cigar Malt Available USA & South Africa

[John]

This is the tasting notes from a panel of carefully selected nosers, tasters and smokers.

Region: Speyside Wood Type: Château La Nerthe Finish

Cask No: 90951/90952 Distilled: 09/08/1995

No of Bottles: 293 Bottled: 19/07/2007

Strength 53.5%

Natural colour, unchill filtered


Keir Sword, Owner, Cigar Box and Royal Mile Whiskies, Edinburgh: "This wonderful whisky has a very clean, fresh and enticing nose. Soft toffee and vanilla. Mint humbugs with an attractive oak character and a slight hint of smoke. A very delicate palate that lives up to the promise on the nose. More fruit flavours which turn quite herbaceous with the addition of water. Long lingering and sweet finish."?

Jens Tausch, Consultant, European Cigar Journal, Germany: "Lots of flavours are still waiting to be explored. Oaky, a hint of smokiness, notes of bourbon and crème brûl?e on the nose. On the palate, rich, powerful aromas of burned sugar, malty drops. This tasty dram calls for a cigar partner with strength in expression. An Exodus 1959 from Carlos Torano gives rise to a persistent sweetness. Also full bodied cigars from the Dominican Republic and Honduras would be a pleasure for the connoisseur."?

Stuart Smith, Manager, Cigar Box and Royal Mile Whiskies, Edinburgh: "Nose: quite a firm nose - spirity and a bit closed undiluted - fills out with time. Strawberries and ice cream come through. Water enhances this and brings out some herbal notes. Palate: rich and quite full bodied on the palate. The wine cask influence is very noticeable with the fruits - but also good dark chocolate notes come through. Good oily mouth feel. Water, again, enhances the fruitier and creamier notes. Finish: good rich dram - bags of character and good length.

Classic cigar malt style - has the richness, complexity and texture to enhance a medium to full bodied cigar."?

Regis Lemaitre, Spirits Expert, RegisWhiskyMad: "The nose is reminiscent of orange marmalade, rich depth, chocolate, burnt sugar, honey and mint. The taste is rich and powerful, superb texture, otherwise known as mouth feel, with a sour finish. The addition of water makes way for mint, orange and sweetness. My recommendation would be to half your whisky into two glasses. With the first glass, I would suggest you add a few drops of water and consume it as you light up your cigar. The second glass should be consumed undiluted, as your cigar smoke, heat and intensity increase. Thus matching a more robust experience in both cigar and whisky! My Cigar recommendation is a light Cuban "Hoyo De Monterrey Epicure No2."?

Rob Allanson, Editor of the Whisky and Cigar Magazines': "Nose: Thick cut dark marmalade, burnt sugar, chocolate, slight sulphur smokiness and sweetness. Palate: Very rich, more marmalade, a hint of mint chocolate with a crisp lingering finish. Cigar: La Gloria Cubana."?

Antony McCallum, Rare Malt Manager, Ian Macleod Distillers: "A rich nose of burnt caramel, orange coarse marmalade, spice and light saltiness. Mint, chocolate, dry rich fruit cake. The perfect medium cigar dram."?