Turntable Tracks 08-09-10

New Turntable limited editions

I have mentioned Turntable whisky on my blog before. So when I got an invite to visit a launch event of three new limited editions, I was very eager to join!
And then the day arrived and I jumped into the train to the city of Nijmegen where, in a place called PAAK Vinyl Bar (How fitting.) three bottles were lined up for a tasting.

After a warm welcome by Riley from Craft Spirits and Gordon from Turntable, we were given an appetizer dram from a bottle of Turntable Amplifier. All warmed up, some bites arrived and we were all more than ready to try the new limited editions. All three with a wine theme, but you will read on that below.

Turntable track 08 - Black Betty

And the first dram in the line was a banger from the start. Peat, sweet rye notes hidden behind red fruit.
With 5 barrels, consisting of a Glenlossie on hogshead, Balmenach on 1st fill rye barrel, Coal Ila on a virgin oak barrel, Glen Moray on a 2nd fill bourbon barrel and Loch Lomond on a 1st fill bourbon barrel, married for over 20 months on Ruby Port casks, this dram has so many layers that I was just smiling like a stupid clown for a while.
Bottled at 52,5% Vol, like all three drams today, this whisky was an awesome start.
On the nose lightly peated, some hints of ripe blackberries with some sweet thin caramel and grains. The first sip makes my weird smile even wider and I love the dance of the sweet fruits with the peaty notes, all watched from the sidelines by some citrus and vanilla.
The finish is the peat giving a small encore.

Turntable track 09 - Modern Love

After a short intermezzo with some extra snacks (I had my first soft shell crab.) the second dram was poured in my glass.
This blend was married in Madeira casks and consists of Teaninich 1st fill Bourbon cask, Royal Brackla Hogshead, Blair Athol Rye barrel, Girvan on a 1st fill bourbon barrel and Invergordon on a 1st fill Bourbon barrel.

It might have been the spicy kimchi I just enjoyed but this dram was a delight. On the nose it was simply toasted cake being smeared with a thin layer of marmelade.
Just as simple as that. A dram to enjoy on a summer evening when the sun starts setting.

On the palate a fresh fruit mixed with thick dusty grain notes, all spiced a bit by vanilla.
The finish left a little spice in the back, which I really enjoyed.

Like I mentioned before, this whisky was bottled at 52,5% Vol. But it felt much lower. A true easy sipper.

Turntable track 10 - Brow Sugar

Save the best fr last, they must have thought, because up until now, the 08 was my favorite dram of the day by far. Enter Brown Sugar.
Married on Moscatel casks, this blend consists of Ledaig on a sherry puncheon, Tamdhu 1st fill Bourbon barrel, Tullibardine virgin oak barrel, Loch Lomond 1st fill Bourbon barrel and finally Strathclyde 1st fill Bourbon barrel.

This dram has it all for me.
On the nose thick peat and smoke, but at the same time sweet dark red fruit notes.
The first sip gives smoke, siltiness, and jelly on toast.
Just when I thought my smile could not get weirder, this dram added some weight to it.
The finish is not too long, making me sip again. Going through the same rollercoaster as the with the first sip.
Again the coastal silt, mixed with peat and fruits.

A quick conclusion and context:
These editions will land in stores near you in October.
Around 300 will be available for the Dutch market, leaving 900 for the rest of the world.
I enjoyed the 09, liked the 08, but I loved the 10. What a dram.
I think you will see me looking for that bottle in October.

At the same time, I realise it was the last one in line. Selecting one, I think the 08 on itself, so not in a line up, could be the go to of these three.

Thanks for the invite Riley, and thanks for the drams and explanation Gordon!