The Cairn – First Peek single malt tasting notes
Grantown-on-Spey is one of the bigger towns on Speyside, and can be regarded as the west gate to the region and the Malt Whisky Trail. All it was lacking was a proper distillery of its own. Closest is probably the Balmenach Distillery, and next up Tormore, but those have never been open to the public or, in the case of the former, even had a single malt presence. This has all changed with the commissioning of The Cairn Distillery on the banks of the river, just outside of Grantown on the A95. I visited the place very recently, and will tell you all about it in a diary entry yet to come. Keep your eyes on this blog!
The Cairn is a distillery that was set up by independent bottler Gordon & MacPhail based in Elgin. They have ceased buying new stock, which does not mean releases will dry up, as they have enough casks lying around to keep us happy for years to come. In the meantime, but already around 30 years ago, G&M bought the closed down Benromach Distillery and turned it into a single malt whisky to reckon with. The Cairn is different in that respect, as it is a brand new distillery. At first, it was said they would not release any single malt before at least 10 or 12 years old was reached. I was stunned to learn that they came back to those words. A “first peek” was put out, and all 1.000 numbered bottles have now sold out. Luckily, I had the opportunity to taste it at the distillery. Now, it is not my habit to review whisky on the spot, but I arrived early at The Cairn and had enough time to really sit down for it. So, without further ado, I am happy to present you with my thoughts: tasting notes for The Cairn!
The Cairn – First Peek, bottled at 57 % abv
First things first: Exactly 1.000 numbered bottles, maturation in refill sherry hogsheads.. I am guessing it is a little over 3 years old.
Upon Sipping: Quite a good sherry nose already, from active casks but mingled well with the spirit. Red apples, lots of creamy texture, rich in raisins. Delicate hints of chocolate. Very easy to drink, considering its age and abv. With water some more mint and wet pebbles on the nose. Hints of clove. On the palate, now we notice some more roughness and the impact of the active wood. Hints of rubber but all very acceptable. The spirit has a good body and carries the flavours well. The more you water it down, it reveals more ruggedness. Some sulphur perhaps, but then an increase again in sultana. Lovely wood integration.
Word to the Wise: It was a delight to have my very first single malt scotch whisky of The Cairn, at The Cairn Distillery. There where it was born. It captures the soul of the Spey River and the Cairngorm Mountains surrounding it, with a summer atmosphere. Good cask choice for this small batch “first peek”. It is promising.
Score: 83 points.