Crabbie’s Chain Pier 3yo 2019/2022 Inaugural Release

Crabbie’s Chain Pier 3yo 2019/2022 Inaugural Release

Official bottling
Single malt - Lowlands
Dark gold 
57% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peanuts, wet stones, honey, haw flakes, sandalwood, clay dust, hints of white pepper. With water, peanuts, ink, clay dust. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, airy, hot, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Haw flakes, honey, sandalwood, hay, strawberry jam, clay dust, chillies, hints of ink. With water, celery, ink, strawberry jam, hints of cucumber. 
Finish: Long. White pepper, haw flakes, malted grains, clay dust, honey. 

Comments: 

Minerally, but also fruity and jammy. There’s a tartness on the tongue that reminds me of hawthorn berry sweets. Water brings out something iron-y, enhancing the minerality.

Verdict:

I like this.

Crabbie’s Chain Pier 3yo 2019/2022 for Milroy’s of Soho

Crabbie’s Chain Pier 3yo 2019/2022 for Milroy’s of Soho 

Official bottling 
Single malt - Lowlands
Red gold
57.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Vanilla, raisins, balsamic vinegar, sweat, horsehair, lemon zest, yoghurt, sourdough bread. With water, leather, sourdough bread, lemon zest, hints of balsamic vinegar. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, warm, expands. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Leather, horsehair, cooked rice, green tea, raisins, hints of white pepper. With water, balsamic vinegar, lemon zest, raisins, cream, sourdough bread. 
Finish: Medium. Sourdough bread, white pepper, cooked rice, raisins, hints of yoghurt. 

Comments: 

Apparently this is heads mixed with tails, then aged in a Shiraz cask. Very strange and funky stuff. Lots of gamey horsehair, with a sweaty note that goes away with time. Turns out quite pleasant and drinkable, given time. 

Verdict:

I like this.