Tasting notes for Holyrood single malt: Embra & Ambir
Upon visiting the Holyrood Distillery in Edinburgh in late December 2024, we were quite taken by all the quality spirit we got to taste. While taking back whisky on a plane is quite a challenge these days, Holyrood offered a nice solution. A lot of their output is bottled in smaller size glasswork, so we grabbed something of everything. Read the entry in Tom’s Dram Diary for a tasting note of an exclusive! Today we are going to taste the second and third instalments of official single malt whisky released by Holyrood. These bottlings are follow-ups to the Arrival release, that we found a bit underwhelming to be honest. The Embra and Ambir were part of the tasting we did after the tour in December, so we go in with pleasure, because we already know these two are rewarding. But now it is time to taste them in a controlled environment.
Holyrood Embra, bottled at 43,6 % abv
First things first: Holyrood single malt whisky matured in first fill bourbon casks, peated Islay quarter casks (presumably from Laphroaig) and American new oak casks. This expression was bottled in 2024. The name was inspired by how locals swallow the name “Edinburgh” to sound like this when they say it, and we fully believe that explanation.
Upon Sipping: Since Laphroaig is the only Islay malt that releases a Quarter Cask expression, the casks used were disclosed quite quickly. We also smell it straight away. Fresh, maritime peat with hints of iodine. Is that what we expect from a Edinburgh produced single malt whisky? Well, yes, since Holyrood does not care for a house style or core range. Variation is the house style. And honestly, it works, because this is a lovely drop in my glass. Some lemons arise, and the freshness of the new wood works to benefit the spirit here. Well done. Interestingly enough, when you take a sip, it is everything but over the top peaty. Warm, bright grain covers the palate, some yellow fruit is added to the mix but very modestly, and then on the finish we get the nicest whiff of smoke. The mouthfeel is incredibly rounded, very barley forward. With some water, the freshness even expands and gives some more fruity notes, but this is not a fruit-forward malt. The breaded notes are more noticeable on the finish now.
Word to the Wise: At first nosing you think you are closer to a blend of Laphroaig and Holyrood, but the overall feeling is that this is very much Edinburgh artisan power on display. I am even more enthusiastic now than when I first tasted it at the distillery. For people who like their whisky young and peaty, but with a twist.
Score: 86 points.
Holyrood Ambir, bottled at 49,8 % abv
First things first: Holyrood single malt whisky matured in first and second fill bourbon casks and oloroso hogsheads and butts. This expression was bottled in 2024.
Upon Sipping: The sherry signature of this offers a very noticeable contrast with the Embra that we tasted before this. Sticky toffee pudding on the nose, rum raisin cake, some soft hints of nuts, all kinds of them, and some warm banana bread. Just like the Embra, very balanced and clean. Clean instead of fresh, I must add, because the sherry does offer a richness that takes away of the happy-go-lucky style of the peaty brother. Equally nice though. On the palate, soft and gentle brushes of nuttiness and a little roughness from wood. Creamy chocolate, some caramel, almost like a dessert, smacking your mouth. With water, some roughness breaks free with lots of spices. More sweetness on the palate and the finish has now definitely chosen the side of the nuts.
Word to the Wise: Another clean and pristine product by Holyrood, but perhaps a tad less surprising compared to the Embra. This might well be preference, but I think the sherry influence here needs some more integration instead of functioning as an add-on gimmick. In the end, this is just superb young malt, which was the favourite of many during the tour tasting.
Score: 84 points.
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