On 19 October, KACHEN was at an exclusive whisky tasting by Caves Wengler in Rosport. Guests had the opportunity to taste some rare bottlings from traditional Scottish distilleries, accompanied by matching bites that perfectly highlighted the flavours of the different whiskies.
This year’s “Special Releases” from DIAGEO were presented at this exclusive tasting at Caves Wengler. Since 2001, the major drinks manufacturer behind Guinness, Johnny Walker & co. has been releasing an annual collection of rare, high-quality Scotch whiskies specially put together for the European market.
This year’s motto is “SPIRITED XCHANGE”: The focus is on cultural exchange. All 8 “Special Releases” are single malt Scotch whiskies, each drawing influence and inspiration from different cultures.
In collaboration with 8 international artists, beautiful designs were created, each reflecting both the history of the distillery and the specific flavours of the respective whisky.
The highlights of the collection
All the whiskies in the collection were interesting to say the least and they covered a wide range of taste nuances. Among the 8 whiskies presented, there was something for all preferences and each of the guests present certainly had their favourite. These were my personal highlights:
“The Ink of Legends” from the Lagavulin distillery provided a surprisingly exotic taste experience. This whisky was matured for 12 years in Don Julio añejo tequila barrels, which allowed pleasant fruity notes to unfold.
The fresh, green aroma of agave harmonises with the smoky notes of peat familiar from Lagavulin and reveals an extraordinary complexity in the finish. The design, which is inspired by the cultures of Mesoamerica, is particularly well done here and makes “The Ink of Legends” the eye-catcher of the collection.
The match was made with smoked duck with orange confit and rosemary potatoes.
Mortlach has crafted a very special whisky with “The Katana’s Edge”. After 2.81 distillations, this spirit was matured in Japanese Konosuke whisky casks and Pinot Noir barrels. The result is a dark, full-bodied whisky with a complex, umami-rich profile and a slightly smoky finish. It was served with fresh mozzarella, Kalamon olives and pickled tomatoes.
As a big bourbon lover, my personal No.1 was the special release from Clynelish: “The Jazz Crescendo”. This single malt was matured for 10 years as a first fill in bourbon barrels made of American white oak and was then bottled at cask strength. Its foundation carries the bourbon-typical sweetness of vanilla, caramel and cream sweets. In its finish, a salty-peppery spiciness unfolds, which gives the extremely rounded product that certain something. Smoked apples and strawberries seasoned with Jamaican pepper were served to match.
Something for whisky lovers to enjoy
Sommelier Arno Dobbels guided the guests through the evening and presented the 8 “Special Releases”. He illustrated the background of the distilleries, the idea behind the respective whisky as well as the special features of the distillation and maturation process. Afterwards, he was available for questions and comments after each tasting.
The event was not only an opportunity to taste some of the best new whisky releases of the coming year, but also a platform for whisky enthusiasts to exchange ideas and share their passion for the golden drink.
All in all, this exclusive whisky tasting at Caves Wengler was a complete success and had many new discoveries and a few surprises in store for beginners and whisky connoisseurs alike. The evening will certainly be remembered by all those present. One can only remain curious about next year’s “Special Releases”!
Further information on the DIAGEO “Special Releases” at Caves Wengler: www.wengler.lu and on the DIAGEO website: www.diageo.com
