Annandale Storyman 2nd Edition Blended Scotch Whisky 70 cl 46%

Some whiskies are made to be analysed. This one is made to be shared. The name says it plainly: Storyman, the bottle that sits in the middle of the table while somebody finishes telling it.

The Expert's Description

Annandale Storyman 2nd Edition is a Blended Scotch Whisky bottled at 46% by Annandale Distillery. It was created by the distillery and personally selected by the actor and storyteller James Cosmo, and the second edition carries on from the first.

A blend mixes malt whisky with grain whisky, and the result is usually softer and more approachable than a single malt. At 46% and without chill filtration, however, this sits higher than most standard blends, which are typically bottled at 40%. That gives more body and a clearer texture without giving up the approachability.

Annandale sits at Annan in Dumfriesshire in the far south of Scotland and has been running again since 2014 after nearly a century of silence. Alongside the two single malt ranges, Man O’ Sword and Man O’ Words, the distillery also stands behind Storyman.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Malt and honey first, with baked apple and a touch of vanilla behind. There is a light cereal sweetness running through it, the signature of the blend, and a clean straightforward aroma with no sharp edges.

Palate

Soft and round. Caramel, malt and bright fruit open, then a mild spiced warmth and a light nutty note. The 46% gives more body and length than you would expect from a blend, so there is something to hold on to.

Finish

Medium length. Malt, honey and a dry cereal note that lets go cleanly without bitterness.

Specifications

Name: Annandale Storyman 2nd Edition Blended Scotch Whisky 46%
Bottler: Annandale
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Edition: 2nd Edition
EAN no.: 5060427430526

Flavour Profile

Malty · Soft · Honeyed · Fruity · Spiced · Light

Did You Know?

James Cosmo is a Scottish actor with decades of film and television work behind him, and he is as well known as a storyteller as he is as an actor. Putting his name to a blend rather than a single malt makes sense: a blend is the bottle that has to sit out on the table while the story gets told.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Annandale Storyman 2nd Edition Blended Scotch Whisky 46%

What is a Blended Scotch Whisky?

A mixture of malt whisky and grain whisky, usually from several distilleries. The grain whisky makes the blend softer and lighter, while the malt gives it character. The great majority of all Scotch whisky drunk worldwide is blended.

Is 46% high for a blend?

Yes. Most standard blends are bottled at 40%. At 46% there is more body and more flavour, and the whisky can be bottled without chill filtration, which preserves the mouthfeel. It is a deliberate choice rather than an accident.

Who is James Cosmo?

A Scottish actor who has appeared in a long list of films and television series over several decades. He personally selected the whisky together with the distillery, and the name Storyman refers to his role as a teller of stories.

How does it differ from the distillery’s single malts?

Markedly. Man O’ Sword and Man O’ Words are single cask releases at cask strength, often above 58%. Storyman is a blend at 46%, built to be approachable rather than uncompromising. Two entirely different jobs.

Can it be used in cocktails?

Yes, and it is well suited to it. At 46% it stands up to being mixed without disappearing, and the malt sweetness works in a Highball or a Whisky Sour. An expensive single malt would be wasted on the same task.

Is it peated?

No. There is no peat smoke in the profile. For smoke from the same distillery you need a Man O’ Sword. See our full range of Lowland Whisky.