Scott_E
The Winter Queen (Adelphi)
Blended Malt — Multiple Countries
Reviewed
July 19, 2019 (edited July 29, 2019)
The the heat wave of 2019 is biting down on the Northeast, I figured the Winter Queen is a suitable dram for the sultry summer evening. Curtesy of @PBMichiganWolverine
The color is an ambered-copper with a full and rich nose that welcomingly greets you. Layers of baking spices, sweetness, and fruits. All this conjures up images of Thanksgiving Day desserts lined up across the table. In no particular order in a stream on conscience: cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper, apples, chocolate covered cherries, candied pecans, maple syrup, walnuts, vanilla, honey, sherry, raisins, apricots, rye and musty books.
The palate embodies the aromas in a dense full body. The counter-play between spice and sweetness is at work here. The volley swirls within the palate: rye, pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon serving toffee, vanilla, dates, dark chocolate. As volley fades to a finish, an oaky dryness begins to develop.
The palate turns slightly woody and is left with flavors of black licorice, maple syrup, Concord grapes and cinnamon.
A solid flavorful, complex whisky. As. @LeeEvolved mentions, akin to A Midwinters Night Dram with the rye notes toned down. The spice is not over dominant and the sweetness is not overly saccharine. I am grateful for the opportunity to have sampled this thanks to @PBMichiganWolverine It’s unfortunate that this is not an accessible whisky for all to enjoy. [90/100][Tasted: 7/19/19]
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@PBMichiganWolverine That’s the one. It’s five-year-old Amrut plus Ardmore and Glenrothes.
@Soba45 yeah, true. With the Indian malts, once you pass 5 yrs, that price climbs. Not many make it to beyond 5.
@PBMichiganWolverine They aren't cheap to begin with sadly either...
@Richard-ModernDrinking is that the E&K or something ( I keep thinking E&Y, but that’s a big 5 consultancy). I think that’s 6 yrs, but 6 yrs in the Indian heat is like 18 in Scotland
@PBMichiganWolverine The Indian one occasionally pops up heavily discounted on MoM, probably because a snarky comment someone posted about its age means they can’t sell it
@Soba45 unfortunately, the batch 2 of this skyrocketed in price. I think double.
Great review. I love Adelphi, they have my preferred flavour profile down pat. Heavy cask flavouring. This is one I really wanted to try along side the aussie blended one.
@PBMichiganWolverine Interesting stuff. I haven’t heard much about these. I don’t know if they are “strictly” for the European market or they don’t have a strong distribution arm. Regardless, these sound all worthwhile to seek out, generally speaking. Good stuff.
@Scott_E I think I have this same one that combines Aussie and Scottish. There’s an Indian and Scottish one too, as well as Japanese and Scottish. All were supposedly really well blended
@PBMichiganWolverine agreed. A steal of a price at the time.
@Scott_E the rye like notes were interesting—-I’m assuming that was from the Dutch portion. I wish I bought 2 of this batch 1. Batch 2 is unaffordable at well over $200. This was barely $100...more like $80