A Cigar Malt from Speyside that gets the job done
Themed whisky was not such a big thing back when I started developing a taste for single malt. In fact, the only releases I can indeed remember, were the one we taste today. If I am not mistaken (and Whiskybase says I am not) there was also a Dalmore Cigar Malt. Tomorrow we will line up a few Dalmore, by the way.
A quick search online indeed shows there were releases by Tomintoul, Tamdhu and Langatun, to name a few. So, the idea of pairing whisky with the delight that is the cigar, is not out of this world at all. Some 15 years ago I once did a tasting that coupled three cigars to three whiskies. That was not the best setup, because a good cigar should take you a whole evening to smoke. Still, I got the impression. Common sense would make you believe that for a good pairing you should look to peaty, smoky whisky, perhaps from Islay. But as it turned out, that evening, I noticed cigars go really well with a slightly sweetened whisky. I distinctly remember a pairing between a cigar and the Glenmorangie 18 years old. Today, we taste an undisclosed malt that seems to follow the same logic: a Speysider on an exotic cask. Forgive me for not having a cigar nearby!
The Cigar Malt 1992, bottled at 51,5 % abv by Ian McLeod
First things first: This Cigar Malt contains a Speyside single malt that was made in November 1992 and matured for 12 years in Port pipe. Cask # 90201 then resulted in exactly 900 bottles. An oldie but goldie by Ian McLeod bottled in 2005 in their Chieftain’s range.
Upon Sipping: Delightfully rich in aroma, with lots of red fruits and also those darker in tone, like blackcurrant, freshly washed with ice cold spring water. Underneath the initial hit of red fruit, there are more modest tones of apples and pears, but also shoe polish and brand new car with leather seats. Very classic on delight, not particularly Port, but certainly a screaming fortified wine soul. Taking a sip, you notice the abv has been balanced to perfection. Soft and smooth but after a while the alcohol does start to burn in a hole in your tongue. Hints of bitter chocolate and almonds, praline, cream and hazelnuts. Like dipping your finger in the Nutella jar and sucking it off. I am trying hard to remember if I ever asked someone at Ian McLeod about the distillery. The name of Mortlach pops to mind, but I think this whisky is straight up a more simple Speyside, that plays very well with the Port cask. With a small drop of water, my mind wanders to Glenfarclas. The taste releases even more fruit now, and the finish has a nice slow burn … like a Havana cigar!
Word to the Wise: This is a perfectly balanced single malt in its own right, but indeed I am sure this will compliment your cigar smoking relaxation to the max. Worth hunting down, these nice little gems, if you find them on auctions.
Score: 85 points.