Spice King Batch Strength 001 (Wemyss Malts)

Spice King Batch Strength 001 (Wemyss Malts), NAS, 56 %

Independent bottler Wemyss Malts have recently released a series of 'batch strength' whiskies. These are higher ABV versions of some of their most well-known blended malts. First out is the Spice King Batch Strength 001, bottled at 56 % ABV. I have previously reviewed the Spice King 8 YO and the Spice King 12 YO.

This is the official statement on the Spice King Batch Strength 001:

“Our new Batch Strength blended malts, consist of just 6000 bottles each, providing the whisky enthusiast and adventurous consumer with more variety in their choice of blended malts. Our Batch Strength range is intensely enjoyable neat, with ice and makes the perfect ingredient for quality, short whisky cocktails such as the Old Fashioned or Rob Roy.

For Spice King, the signature malt we use is from the Highlands and Islands, to produce a whisky with rich, full and spicy top notes."

You can buy a bottle of the Spice King Batch Strength 001  in the UK at around GBP 45.

Nose: Spicy alright - a hot summer afternoon kind of spice mix. Sunny. There's mild pepper, nutmeg, ginger and cinnamon here. I also detect a whiff of peat, as well as mineral or flinty notes. Briny. Wet stones, drying in the sun. A touch of bitterness. Fresh and spritzy.

Taste: Full bodied and oily. Spicy honey. Very thick and rich sweetness. You can almost cut it with a knife, that's how thick it is. Pepper, chilli, salt, wet stones and caramel.

Finish: Medium to long finish. Does not really develop a whole lot more, but rather glides along. There is some licorice towards the end, and hints of peat. Bitter-ish finish.

Comments: I rather enjoyed this blended whisky. I suspect the Islands component here is Tobermory/Ledaig.

Score (85/100)

Sláinte! - Thomas