Hazelburn 2002 11 YO Society Bottling

Hazelburn 2002 11 YO Society Bottling, 54,4 %

This is a special bottling for the Springbank Society. The Hazelburn 2002 11 YO Soceity Bottling was distilled in December 2002, and bottled in October 2014. It has been matured in a fresh bourbon barrel, and the total outturn was 204 bottles.

Nose (23/25): Malty, rich, with some mild "green" notes - slightly herbal, dry grass and hay. After some time I find pineapple, coconut and white chocolate as well. It's all very well integrated, it is definitely a mature whisky even if not very old. A cool, summer morning on a farm, in the middle of a dry spell. There's an orchard on the farm as well, and the apples are ripe for the picking.

Taste (22/25): Smooth, creamy and oily mouth-feel. Peppery and fruity. Certainly a lot of the green notes here as well - grass, hay and dried herbs. A touch of salt, and some mild oakiness - nutty perhaps.

Finish (22/25): Warmish, long, and rather sweet. Finishes off on a nice sugary and minty note.

Balance (22/25): A perfectly balanced dram. The best Hazelburn I have had. I have previously thought of Hazelburn as "the mild, and not very exciting whiskies from Springbank". Well, not anymore!

Score (89/100)

Disclaimer: I checked the official tasting notes after I had made my notes, and I must say I have rarely agreed this much with any official tasting note before. Both fun and funny to be this 'in sync' for once.

Image from Whisky Base.

Sláinte! - Thomas