Tasting The Feering, honouring The Cabrach
Today’s tasting notes accompany the entry in Tom’s Dram Diary about my visit to The Cabrach Distillery. Under the guidance of Alan Winchester, in total three blended malts will be released using single casks from the distilleries surrounding The Cabrach. The three releases are bound together by the common purpose of restoring a proud whisky community. We will taste two expressions today.
The name of the bottling is The Feering and this refers to the first furrow ploughed, which acts as a guide for all the rest. Very symbolic. You have to do it right from the start, and it will trickle down in all you do following that first move. While visiting the distillery, my host kept her lips tightly sealed as to what distilleries are used in this blend. The little booklet that accompanies the bottle of the Early Harvest however speaks thankful words to those companies donating the casks.
These are Edrington, Ian Mcleod Distillers, Campari Group and Beam Suntory (misspelled as Santory in the booklet). From this, I got a pretty good idea that there must be Macallan and/or Glenrothes, Tamdhu, Glen Grant and Ardmore in the blend. Anyway, that is information I have on the first bottle and obviously I am guessing. The second edition is called Late Crop and is yet to be released, but I got a generous sample upon my visit (as driver’s dram).
The Feering – Early Harvest, Speyside blended malt, bottled at 46 % abv
First things first: A Speyside blended malt whisky from casks donated by neighbours.
Upon Sipping: Starts with a delicate grassy note that is flavoured with a whiff of peat. Slightly creamy and buttery, like shortbread, with custard creme. Very fresh with lemons and vanilla. Quite a spicy arrival on the palate, which surprises me. The grassy note is very strong, with hints of French mustard and oak tannins. Fierce Feering! With water there is a more oily note, sunflower oil I would say. The oak is now noticeable on the nose too. On the tip of the tongue this Feering Early Harvest has a pleasant sugary sweetness. Just a few drops of water has opened the palate up nicely, with more fruity notes now, like yellow apples and overripe pears. Quite a hefty body, offering good complexity while at the same time being very accessible.
Word to the Wise: A Speyside malt with a Highland soul. Good body, this is not your everyday light sipper and offers complexity to chew on. Lacks a bit of age, I reckon.
Score: 82 points.
The Feering – Late Crop, Speyside blended malt, bottled at 46 % abv
First things first: A Speyside blended malt whisky from casks donated by neighbours. If I am not mistaken, this has seen insides of port casks. At this time, I have no guesses about the contents that made up the blend.
Upon Sipping: All in all a tad rougher on the nose. Tannins and overripe red fruit, mostly cherries. Again a good dose of vanilla but the yellow apples have been swapped for red ones. They are very upfront on the nose. More of a fruit basket compared to the Early Harvest. With some breathing, hints of caramel join the overall impression. On the palate, the more exotic wood influences make for a dryer drinking experience. Hints of rubber, bitter chocolate and blueberry muffin. Some wood smoke adds the complexity that elevates this Feering Late Crop to a higher level. This expression can also do with the tiniest drop of water, which adds to the fruity characteristics rising from the glass. The palate has gained a pleasantly sour note now, probably from the port, could have been a Tawny. Just guessing here, but the signature is present. Still, sturdy body, good Scotch to pour yourself after a long day working on the land in the Cabrach, no doubt.
Word to the Wise: Speyside malt with a twist. The more exotic cask(s) in the mix makes for an interesting drinking experience.
Score: 83 points.