Chieftain's 13 YO Highland Single Malt

Chieftain's 13 YO Highland Single Malt, 48 %

A brand new release from independent bottler Ian Macleod Distillers today. The Chieftain's 13 YO Highland Single Malt is from an undisclosed Highland distillery. It was distilled in September 2003, and bottled September 2017. This is a limited edition of just two 2 refill sherry butts (casks 5720 + 5732), with a total outturn of 516 bottles. A rather low number of bottles for two butts after 'just' 13 years... I suspect this is a split bottling, and that this is just half of the actual outturn, but I do not know for sure.

Starting Friday November 3 you can buy the Chieftain's 13 YO Highland Single Malt in Norway at NOK 689 (7987401).

Nose: Hmm.. reminds me of a dusty old iron cannon from medieval times. It is cool, there are remnants of gunpowder, ashes, and something distinctly metallic. Hints of sulphur, but well on the OK side of the border. Could this be a slightly peated whisky? I do believe so. Lurking right beneath this cannon surface there is a deep and welcoming sweetness. Dried fruits of the varied and somewhat exotic persuasion.

Taste: Rich and full-bodied. Creamy with pepper notes. It does have a slight bite, friendly but persistent. The fruits, dried and not so.

Finish: Medium to long finish. The creamy richness is maintained throughout the finish. Hints of ginger and tropical fruit towards the end.

Comments: A fine and intriguing Highland whisky.

Score (85/100)

Sláinte! - Thomas