Jim McEwan Signature Collection Series 8
And I just had the 7.1!
Seriously, I just reviewed the 7.1 and Dramfool is launching the next series already!
Yes, launching the 7th of March, a new Jim McEwan Signature Collection is out. The 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3. Again a Bruichladdich, a Port Charlotte and an Octomore.
I joined a online tasting of Dramfool for the launch of these three whiskies, hosted by Jim McEwan himself. Next to three other awesome drams, there were the three Drams following on this page.
As a big Bruichladdich fan, you would suspect the 8.1 will be my favourite.
But, spoiler incoming, it is not. Read on to see what it is!
As mentioned, the 7th of March these bottles are launched in the Dramfool shop.
Go check them out!
8.1 Bruichladdich
This Bruichladdich was aged on first fill Jurançon barrique. (The AOP Juraçon are white wines from the bottom of the Pyrenees.) Aged for 13 years, it was bottled at 59.2%
The color is like maple syrup and my glass has some nice pattern of legs after a dance in my glass.
On the nose I have so many layers, that I have to return to it multiple times. I get sweet fruit notes and malted barley going towards toast. It's like smelling warm toast with fresh and sweet peach and strawberry jam. Then some oak and a very slight hint of leather. On the final sniff I got salted caramels.
The taste has the same layers, but carries more of the wine cask. Some of the white wine acidity is there and tickles the tongue. Then I got some fruit like pear and even some more tropical notes.
The finish is medium long, and leaves a dry feeling, slightly stretching at the sides of the tongue.
8.2 Port Charlotte
This 12 year old whisky was aged on a first fill Bourbon cask and bottled at 60.9%. The color is a golden yellow, like a warm summer field of ripe grain. Thick tears run down my glass after a quick dance.
On the nose it is Paradise. Imagine a tropical beach with a tropical food buffet while a BBQ is smoking some meat. It has some sweet malt notes, all carried by some creamy notes.
The taste is continuing the creaminess. Add some salty apples and pears, dusted with some vanilla and there's a party even before the peatiness hit you with a heather smoke finish.
Talking about finish, this one lingers, you keep having the smoke rolling over your palate, but when you focus on it, almost sugar cane sweetness pops up and dominates. The second sip carries some extra vanilla and even some coconut style notes.
8.3 Octomore
This is a 10 yo Octomore, aged on a first fill Bourbon barrel.
It has been bottled at 62.4%, so alcohol wise, this is the winner.
Being an Octomore, there is also a high PPM. in this case 107 PPM.
The color is a nice yellow, with some sparkles. But it is difficult to focus on color when the scent of fruity peat is already wafting from the glass. It is simply to die for. A warm vanilla crossing a beach, with peat. Not so much smoke, simply peat.
The taste gives me salty fruit, almost going towards Turkish Delight. The last few notes hit a creamy sweetness, like a very sweet cherry flavoured yoghurt. A second sip gives me some hint going towards charcoal, but with a lick over my lips, candy floss pops up.
The finish is medium long and has a light clash between the allied peatiness and the fruity entente.
Although I'm a big fan of Bruichladdich on a special cask, I prefer the 7.1 over the 8.1. Regarding the position of the 8.1 in the new series: It is like the line-up makes sense. Starting with 1, going to 2 and ending with three. However, it is a close battle between the Port Charlotte and the Octomore. In the end, I think the Octomore wins for me. The clash of notes and flavours is just so much fun to witness and it keeps me returning to the glass.
These bottles will pop up in the Dramfool store on the 7th of March.
Go check it out on https://dramfool.com/shop
They even have a sample set with all thrree whiskies available.