Nc’nean Organic Single Malt

Nc’nean Organic Single Malt, 3 YO, 46 %

I have now tasted Nc’nean Organic Single Malt, Batch 09. Nc’nean is a highland distillery that started production in 2017. Annabel Thomas is the founder and CEO of Nc’nean.

The inspiration for the name Nc’nean is from Neachneohain, an ancient Gaelic goddess. She was known as the Queen of Spirits and a fierce protector of nature.

Official batch info:

BATCH. 09

Distillation dates: July, September, October 2017 / February, March, April 2018
Number of bottles: 5040
Spirit recipe: Light and Fruity
Yeasts: Anchor, Fermentis & Mauri
Cask mix: 65% STR Red Wine, 35% Ex-Bourbon
Cask numbers: 2017 / 201, 205, 217, 305, 308, 363 - 2018 / 51, 50, 55, 57, 133, 149, 151, 154, 155
Disgorging date: 22/06/2021
Bottling date: 26/07/2021 - 24/08/2021
Bottling strength: 46%
Non-chill filtered. Natural colour.

The facts are identical to the first 8 batches and the subsequent 3, with one exception; for batch 9 they also added a third yeast in Mauri.

You can buy the Nc’nean Organic Single Malt in Norway at NOK 800 (13849001), in Sweden at SEK 689 (56471) and around GBP 47 in the UK.

Nose: Tomato vine, mixed green herbs and white pepper. Banana and toasted oak. With time hints of apples, grapefruit and barbecued pineapple. Keeps developing with time. Very nice nose!

Taste: Medium body. Quite creamy in character, and spicy. Again the white pepper notes stick out, but there’s other spices at play here - cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper, chili pepper and even basil.

Finish: Medium long finish. Vanilla and ripe apples now appear. The spiciness mellows out. More buttery than creamy now. Hints of citrus. Green with floral and herbal notes in the end.

Comment: A fine youngster.

Score 84/100

Sláinte!
-Thomas