Overview
Join fellow whisky enthusiasts for a social, informal, inclusive break-even whisky tasting.
The theme of this tasting is a deconstruction of the ubiquitous Johnnie Walker Red Label blended scotch whisky, featuring integrity expressions of the so-called "Four Corners of Scotland" that compose Johnnie Walker Red, as well as two old expressions of JW Red itself.
The Lineup
This tasting is comprised of 7 drams in 20ml measures.
Johnnie Walker Red Label 40% from the 1930's 👀
Johnnie Walker Red Label 40% from the 1970's
Glenkinchie 15yr "The Manager's Dram" 60.1%
Single cask / refill bourbon hogshead
Bottled in November 2010, exclusively for Diageo employees and VIPs
Cardhu 11yr 56.6% distillery hand-fill
Vatting of ex-bourbon casks (likely 1st-fill)
Distilled in 2012, bottled in 2023
Batch 2023/002
Clynelish 15yr 2008 57.4% from Gordon & MacPhail
Single cask / refill bourbon barrel (cask #306222)
Distilled in 2008, bottled in May 2023
Bottled exclusively for the Gordon & MacPhail retail shop in Elgin
1 of 183 bottles
Caol Ila 30yr 1983 51.6% from Signatory Vintage
Single cask / bourbon hogshead (cask #5288)
Distilled on Nov 8th, 1983, bottled on July 2nd, 2014
Bottle #102 of 187 bottles
Caol Ila 7yr 2016 57.3% from Fragrant Drops
Single cask (cask #300564)
5.5 years maturation in a refill bourbon hogshead
Finished for 1.5+ years in a 1st-fill palo cortado sherry hogshead
Distilled on Jan 18th, 2016, bottled on March 24th, 2023
Ethos
My tastings are geared for whisky enthusiasts, but they're also intended to be fun, unintimidating, and inclusive of a diverse group of nice people. I'll make zero profit from this tasting. I just want to bring people together and open some silly whiskies that would otherwise be hoarded or flipped for profit.
Event Schedule
The tasting will start at 2:00pm. I recommend you arrive 15-20 minutes before the scheduled start time so you can choose a seat, grab a pint, make yourself comfortable, etc. Any presentational aspects of the tasting will wrap up by 4:30pm. The venue will reopen to the public at 5pm, but we can remain in the space for as long as we want to.
The Venue
The Last Word in Stockbridge, Edinburgh is a place that's near and dear to my heart. I've been coming here for years, and I've had loads of fun combing through their substantial backbar. Part of Mothership and established in 2004, The Last Word is an excellent neighbourhood cocktail bar with a low-key atmosphere and superb hospitality. It has an extensive and criminally underrated whisky selection, courtesy of the owners and a series of fabulous venue managers who are serious whisky enthusiasts. It's a great space, and I'm happy they're graciously opening up for us.
For the duration of the tasting, The Last Word will be closed to the public, and we'll have the entire space to ourselves. 🎉
