Strathmill 12 Year Old 2011 – Asta Morris Distillery: Strathmill Region: Scotland (Speyside) Bottling: Strathmill 12 Year Old 2011/2024 Asta Morris, Bourbon cask (#AM159), 286 bottles Colour: Light gold ABV: 51.0% A soft little candy Recently, I was a guest at Bar Terroir in the heart of Ghent (formerly Gouts & Couleurs, now under a new name, new menu, but the same fantastic people and service – absolutely worth a visit!). The reason for my visit was a tasting organised by Jeroen from Care For Craft Spirits, presenting the new Asta Morris releases. You could say Bert Bruyneel himself was the guest speaker, but in true “Zotte Bert” fashion he left most of the talking to Jeroen. We had a great time, full of humour and – more importantly – excellent whisky. The evening kicked off with a young Strathmill, a Speyside distillery that has since stopped producing malt whisky altogether and has fully pivoted to gin, believe it or not! On the nose, this is a soft little candy. Vanilla, caramel, digestive biscuits, hay, and a basket of yellow fruit in various stages of ripeness. A very inviting opening. On the palate, again a soft little candy. Despite the ABV giving it enough backbone, this remains a wonderfully approachable “session whisky” – the best kind – where the fruity, sweet notes from the nose return clearly, complemented by just enough woody spice to add a gentle kick. It seems deceptively simple, but is quietly quite complex. The finish brings back all the flavours once more, with a pleasant subtle bitterness on its final fade. Lovely. This is a true easy-drinking Speyside whisky that goes down so smoothly you might easily overlook its hidden complexity. A textbook Speyside treat. And at around €75, it’s an absolute steal. Tasted by Mark Dermul on 30-05-2024 Balblair 11 Year Old 2012 – Asta Morris Distillery: Balblair Region: Scotland (Highlands) Bottling: Balblair 11 Year Old 2012/2024 Asta Morris, matured in Bourbon + Palo Cortado sherry cask (#AM143), 250 bottles Colour: Light gold ABV: 52.0% Texture & Tasting Balblair has been steadily climbing my personal ranking of favourite distilleries – especially after tasting several distillery exclusives. Expectations for this young Asta Morris release were therefore naturally high, particularly knowing it received a prolonged finish (or rather a double maturation) in a Palo Cortado cask. This is a rather rare style of sherry – essentially a Fino that has taken an unexpected turn through natural evolution (Google is your friend) – bringing a crisp, distinctive edge. I enjoy sherry-influenced whiskies, I enjoy Balblair… but how would the two combine? The nose is highly engaging, immediately showing Balblair’s signature DNA of buttery pastries, quince, and a hint of sultanas, beautifully wrapped in the unmistakable influence of the sherry cask. And do the whisky a favour: it spent 11 years in wood, so give it 11 minutes in the glass. The evolution is striking, and it only gets better with time. On the palate, it is silky smooth with ABV in a near-perfect balance. Water? Absolutely not needed. Delightfully sweet and confectionary, offering butter toffee, liquorice, vanilla, and caramel, lifted by a subtle saline edge from the sherry influence. The texture is outstanding. This is a masterful cask combination by the craftsman in West Flanders who quietly curates and nurtures these barrels with precision. The finish is long, gradually warming with spice before gently drying out in a soft, elegant fade. What an excellent Balblair this is, especially considering its age. Kudos, Bert. If you can still find it, it sells for around €76 – a true no-brainer. Tasted by Mark Dermul on 30-05-2024