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The Rare Liquor King

Jim McEwan Series 5 Full Set

Jim McEwan Series 5 Full Set

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5.1 Bruichladdich 2011 1st Fill Bourbon Barrel, 11 years old, 59.0%
Distilled on 11th July 2011 this whisky spent its whole 11-year life maturing in cask #2477. This maturation took place in a 1st fill bourbon cask from an unknown American Distillery.

Bottled in July 2022 as Release 5.1 of the Jim McEwan Signature Collection, like all bottlings within the collection, it was bottled un-chill filtered, with no added colour, and at natural cask strength of 59.0% (as we always say, Jim would have it no other way!), it yielded only 238 bottles.

Tasting notes from Jim McEwan

Colour - Primrose Yellow

Aromas - Opens beautifully on a combination of Primrose, Myrtle, Lily, Marigold and mint. It’s like walking through the peat fires next to the Atlantic Ocean! Then the sweetness of the toasted barley and mellow oak drift in bringing with them little hints of bourbon spiciness laid down by the first spirit matured in the cask.

“Its gentle on my mind”

Taste - The spirit is balanced & restrained on the palate. This is pure Islay; No smoke, just barley & oak and time by the Ocean. The opulent flavours seduce the taste buds with mellow oak and barley sugars. The Maritime Islay character is with you all the way, fresh and clean and packed with passion & traditional skills from a dedicated team of Distillers who bring the magic to the spirit. No computers, no colouring, no chill filtration, just a special spirit from a special place.

5.2 Port Charlotte 2009 1st Fill Bourbon Barrel, 13 years old, 62.9%
Distilled on 28th April 2009 this whisky spent its whole 13-year life maturing in cask #1440. This maturation took place in a 1st fill bourbon cask from the Clear Springs Distillery. Home of iconic bourbons owned by the famous Buffalo Trace their bourbon number many including Black Ridge, Stone Hammer, Two Stars and Wolcott Kentucky Straight. We have no indication of the bourbon this previously held but the Buffalo Trace cask policy is one that never wavers from quality!

Bottled in July 2022 as Release 5.2 of the Jim McEwan Signature Collection, like all bottlings within the collection, it was bottled un-chill filtered, with no added colour, and at natural cask strength of 62.9% (as we always say, Jim would have it no other way!), it yielded only 197 bottles.
Tasting notes from Jim McEwan

Colour - Brilliant warm honey/ Golden Hue

Aromas & Flavours - It has that trademark Islay aroma that brings together the smoke, the oak, the marine overture and the traditional skills as they were in 1881. Matured next to the Atlantic Ocean which plays a massive part in bringing the character to the spirit.

I recommend adding a drop of water and you will discover a host of aromatics including a smooth spicy overture from the bourbons time in the cask.

Taste - At this age it’s in its prime. Strong in character, which is 100% Islay, which translates initially into smoke & oak then by mid palate the sweetness of the malt extract arrives as does little hints of lemon & honey. It’s a beautiful Hebridean taste experience!

The maturation by the Ocean is the key to what gives this spirit character that is unique just as it does for my fellow Islanders. The flavours of peated malt, the sweetness of oak and the influence of the traditional distilling in a time honoured was make this spirit just a little bit special.

5.3 Octomore 2011 1st Fill Bourbon Barrel, 11 years old, 61.0%
Distilled on 21st December 2011, this whisky spent its whole 10-year life maturing in cask #4556. This maturation took place in a 1st fill bourbon cask from an unknown American Distillery. Peated to a whopping 150.2PPM it is another ‘velvet fist in an iron glove’ which surely packs a punch.

Bottled in July 2022 as Release 5.3 of the Jim McEwan Signature Collection, like all bottlings within the collection, it was bottled un-chill filtered, with no added colour, and at natural cask strength of 61.0% (as we always say, Jim would have it no other way!), it yielded only 202 bottles.
Tasting notes from Jim McEwan

Colour - Summer Barley Fields

Aromas & Taste - It detonates on a combination of smoke, storm lashed seaweed and allspice, followed by the sweetness of charred oak sugars and the sweet spicy residue from the bourbon that first filled the cask. Its a unique olfactory experience, lots going on with the oak holding the big aromas in check and allowing the quality of distillate to shine through which also highlights the skills of the team who work away quietly without computers. They are seldom mentioned because that’s not the Islay way, let their skills be judged by the consumer. This is a hand crafted spirit distilled slowly and matured 100% on Islay.

Octomore is the gentle giant of a spirit. Its smoky character does not hide the art of distillation, it highlights it.

The finish is unique and truly wonderful. The flavours linger long and warming bringing you back to Islay on a spiritual journey.

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