Càrn Mòr is an independent bottler so they don't produce anything themselves. They buy the casks from the distilleries around Scotland and then bottle them themselves. The casks are from the top shelf, so there should be good quality behind them.
Càrn Mòr has 3 different whisky ranges as it is called.
Strictly Limited to show different ages, strengths and cask sizes, all bottled at 47.5%.
Celebration of the Cask is whisky that is Single Casks and bottled at Cask Strength
Family Reserve is specially selected bottlings by Brian and Jamie Morrison all Single Cask and extremely rare
This blog focuses on Strictly Limited and will taste through 5 different types
Càrn Mòr Aberlour 2013 47,5%
The first bottling is a Aberlour from 2013. The distillery you love to hate or hate to love depending on your taste, I myself am not a big fan of Aberlour's Core range which is available in all supermarkets so I expect an absolutely better experience when their motto is So close to enjoying it straight from the cask.
The bottling here is from 2013/2022 and is in an Olorosso cask.
Aroma:
Mashed fruits, pears, bananas a sweet sherry scent, chocolate, raisins.
Taste:
Cherry notes, dark chocolate, sweet flavor and not at all dry, the fruit palette hits last.
Aftertaste:
It lingers long in the mouth and is actually a delicious flavor. It seems very balanced.
Rating:
Surprised by the quality and thought it actually kicks this blog off well. Aberlour can quickly become too boring when you have expanded your flavor repertoire a lot, but this is not a bad whisky at all.
Càrn Mòr Benriach 2013 47,5%
Then we jump towards Benriach and an 8 year old that has been put on a Sherry Butt. If you compare the color with the previous one, there is a big difference, this one is darker and seems more full-bodied also in the aroma.
Aroma:
The sherry here is good and overshadows most things. Dark chocolate, peach,
Taste:
It seems quite sharp and soapy. There is such a floral flavor to it that I can't even describe. I'm hit by a fresh citrus flavor spiced with light chocolate
Aftertaste:
I was actually more hooked on this than Aberlour, and fortunately the taste is nuanced, I found it boring and a bit sour and bitter in the aftertaste. Not something that scares some people away if you like a more raw expression of your whisky.
Assessment:
Yeah okay let's look at the facts
Sherry Butt - check
Benriach - check
47,5% - check
It ticks all the right boxes but it's not one that makes the birds sing. I was expecting a greater balance in the flavor, but it was not there.
Càrn Mòr Glentauchers 2011 47,5%
Then we jump into a slightly different ball game and tackle a bottling that has been put on First Fill Bourbon Barrel.
I have it with Bourbon barrels that it can be both a boy and a girl. Not that they are bad barrels, but I typically expect the whiskey to get a finish on some flavor barrel after it has had the Bourbon barrel. I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do with this one.
Aroma: Full on vanilla stick that's for sure, pears, bananas, raisins, light citrus.
Taste: Yes, you can't mistake the classic vanilla that bourbon barrels offer, floral and light citrus.
Aftertaste: It sits for a good while and it doesn't scare anyone, it seems balanced and quite pleasant.
Verdict: Yes, as expected, this was not a bottling that will knock you off your feet. If you are a beginner in the world of whisky and you want to taste something that brings a good quality with it, then this bottling is definitely preferable.
Càrn Mòr Glenburgie 2010 47,5%
After a short break, we jump back to Olorossen and then to a Hogshead.
Glenburgie that is probably best known for delivering one of the blends that are used to make Ballantines.
Aroma: Delicious sherry full-bodied, chocolate, peach, pears.
Taste: Wow a delicious taste, good sherry, balanced well with the percentages, the chocolate is delicious
Aftertaste : Rich and delicious sherry flavor that lingers for a long time
Rating: I am a fan of this bottling, because it is absolutely the best that I have tasted, round soft and incredibly delicious dram, it is one of those you want to take with you to show how delicious whisky can be.
Càrn Mòr Craigellachie 2010 47,5%
We finish off with a Craigellachie that has been laid down on a PX Sherry Butt. The bottling is 12 years old and again it is the color that stands out.
Aroma: Apples, peaches, chocolate, caramel, cherries
Taste: Cherry, rich chocolate, peach. Salty caramel.
Aftertaste: It's delicious on the tongue and this cherry flavor just gives a delicious fruit note and lingers for a long time.
Rating: Again a bottling that is worth a check mark here. It should be in the cupboard of every PX drinker because it's just an incredibly delicious whisky. I love this cherry that just sits well and long on the palate.
Conclusion
Have I cheated myself by not visiting their stand, yes absolutely, so I would definitely recommend looking at the bottlings that are on the Danish market. For me, the price is absolutely right and it's really just a delicious batch of whisky. However, I think we can talk a little about the appearance of the bottle because it does not really stand out and here you should look over the shoulder of some of the other independent bottlers, fortunately, you should not judge a whisky on the appearance of the bottle but on the taste and here I think Càrn Mòr offers something for every taste.
A clear recommendation from here.
Slàinte
