Ludlow Cider Brandy Cask

Ludlow Cider Brandy Cask

Official bottling
Single malt - Shropshire 
Dark gold
55% ABV
Dram

Nose: Apples, mushrooms, malted grains, fresh cut grass, coffee, lemon sweets. With water, apples, toffee, lemon sweets. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, oily, syrupy, hot. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Molasses, apples, cinnamon, lemon sweets, toffee, vanilla, caramel. With water, apples, malted grains, caramel. 
Finish: Medium. Toffee, apples, cloves, cinnamon. 

Comments: 

Some slightly odd mushroom notes at the first nose, but these pass to reveal toffee apples and cinnamon flavours on the tongue. It’s a nicely bodied whisky too, oily and substantial without being too heavy.

Verdict:

I like this.

Henstone 3yo 2018/2021 Batch 2

Henstone 3yo 2018/2021 Batch 2

Official bottling 
Single malt - Shropshire 
Pale straw
43.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon zest, lemon sweets, vanilla, green apples, brass polish, hints of sandalwood. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, warm, slightly tingly.  
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Lemon zest, green apples, stewed rhubarb, brass polish, malted grains, hints of aluminium foil. 
Finish: Medium. Lemon zest, malted grains, green apples, vanilla, stewed rhubarb. 

Comments: 

Very similar to Batch 1. Citrusy, but this time with a hit of metallic tanginess. Quite a bit more malty as well. Overall a decent dram. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Henstone 3yo 2018/2021 Batch 1

Henstone 3yo 2018/2021 Batch 1

Official bottling 
Single malt - Shropshire 
Straw
43.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon sweets, green apples, vanilla, malted grains, hints of sandalwood. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, tingly, warm. 
Tasting:  Sour. Lemon sweets, vanilla, green apples, lemon zest, cotton sheets, hints of malted grains. 
Finish: Medium. Lemon zest, green apples, stewed rhubarb, malted grains.  

Comments: 

I’m tasting a couple of expressions from Henstone distillery in Shropshire, head to head. It’s young, of course, quite vibrant and well defined. Tart whisky, lots of citrus, some green apples, and floral sandalwood on the nose. 

Verdict:

I like this.