Port of Leith New Make Spirit

Nose: Light floral and honey aromas with a little malt in the background. A touch of brine but it’s primarily sweet. Palate: Initially dry but quickly gaining sweetness. The predominant flavour is light cereal but there is an ethanol presence as well. Finish: Fast and short. Cereal flavours that quickly fade into ethanol. The Port of Leith distillery is located in Leith, a northern suburb of Edinburgh, literally right on the water in a re-developed industrial and docklands area. It is highly unusual as it is one of the only “vertical” distilleries I have ever seen. This design is partly due to limited space in what is a very expensive area, and partly due to the company’s determination to be energy efficient. All distilleries depend on moving large quantities of material through the plant constantly and this usually requires a lot of energy. Port of Leith went for a vertical (8 story high) design in other to use gravity for as much material transport as possible. They only ran their first new-make a few months ago so it will be years until they have “whisky” for sale, but in the meantime they are giving tastings of their new make, which is undergoing a lot of experimentation. The version I tasted was fermented with Voss Kviek yeast but if you visit it is possible you will try something else. We also tasted a new-make that was fermented using a strain of yeast called “BE-256” and it was quite different, with a much more cereal character and comparatively little sweetness. The sample I tried was a little like new-make cut with vodka, which I think was due to it being reduced to 40% abv. Previous new makes I’ve tasted from other distilleries have been at still strength, or just slightly reduced, so in comparison this seemed simpler but it was very palatable and drinkable neat. I think Port of Leith has a great future and I look forward to trying their whisky when it is finally released. Their guided tour is also one of the best I have attended, and it is the only way to sample the new-make, so if you are in Edinburgh do not pass up the opportunity. Tasted as part of a distillery tour. “Above Average” : 82/100 (3.25 stars)