Wilson & Morgan - New bottlings for Denmark - Blog post by Luka Gottschalk

Blog post by Luka Gottschalk

Starting a whisky tasting with a heavily peated dram is usually a bad idea, but I could not help myself.

This is a Caol Ila from 2015 (8yo) that finished its maturation in some hyperactive virgin oak casks. It is bottled at full cask strength, 57.1%, so there is no doubt this is an Islay muscleman.

The virgin oak has given it a handsome colour, a shade darker than you would expect from young non-sherried Islay bottlings. The nose is classic Caol Ila on steroids. Masses of peat smoke, sea salt, salmiak and bacon, but also a sweet side with sweet Finnish liquorice and vanilla. The palate is an explosion of smoke, burnt hay, liquorice and nettles. The finish is long and takes things in a slightly different direction with rye bread and banana.

This Caol Ila hits the bullseye for my palate. It should be said that I have a soft spot for Caol Ila, and for Islay whisky in general. It is remarkably powerful and forceful without losing its balance. It all works.

Caol Ila 2015/2023 Wilson & Morgan 8 years Single Malt Scotch Whisky

After a change of glass and a short break for the taste buds, it is time to leave storm-battered Islay and head for the friendlier Speyside region. As mentioned, that is where the remaining bottlings come from.

Glenlossie 2013/2023 Wilson & Morgan 10 years Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

I have poured a 10 year old Glenlossie into the glass. Matured in oloroso casks and bottled at 46%.

As expected, this is an entirely different kind of whisky. The nose is sweet and inviting with sweet almond pastry filling, boiled sweets, apricot and a little oak.

The palate is likewise properly sweet and enjoyable with strawberry, cinnamon and brown sugar.

The finish is medium, and the fruit hangs around alongside coconut and vanilla. Almost like a Danish dream cake.

This is a fine contrast to the Caol Ila above. Its strength is that far more whisky drinkers, and perhaps even rum drinkers, can join in. It is sweet, fruity and simple.

Glenlossie 2008/2023 Wilson & Morgan 15 years Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

The next dram is another Glenlossie, this time 15 years old and matured in the sweetest first-fill PX sherry casks. It is bottled at 52.1%.

The nose is sweet and fruity with brown sugar, red grapes, raspberry and orange.

The palate is classic Pedro Ximénez style, full throttle on spiced sweetness. I get caramel syrup, cinnamon sugar, cardamom, coconut and spiced oak. It is remarkably oily and fat on the palate.

The finish is medium, spiced, fat and pleasant with a creamy consistency.

This Glenlossie works brilliantly as a big brother to the previous bottling. There is a little more weight, power and depth here, without it being a challenging whisky in any way. Most whisky drinkers can join in here too.

Speybridge 2011/2023 Wilson & Morgan 12 years Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Sadly there is only one whisky left on the programme, and again it is a Speyside single malt. It goes by the name Speybridge, which is not actually a distillery but a teaspoon name used by independent bottlers. The distillery is not specified, but bottlings carrying this name are usually Glenrothes.

It is bottled at full cask strength, 57.1%, matured 12 years with a finish in first-fill oloroso sherry casks.

The nose is intense and deep with leather, vanilla seeds, salted caramel and orange.

The palate goes full throttle on vanilla, plus milk chocolate, apricot jam and cream caramel.

The finish is long and powerful with dates, lemon mousse and deep barley sweetness.

There is no doubt the casks for this whisky have been extremely active. The influence from the oloroso casks has worked beautifully without the distillate disappearing. I am almost certain this is a Glenrothes. I often get powerful vanilla and salted caramel from Glenrothes, and those notes dominated this experience for me. An absolute pleasure.

W&M usually delivers high quality at affordable prices, and these four bottlings certainly did not disappoint. My favourites were definitely the Caol Ila and the Speybridge. Two very different bottlings, but both appealing to my palate in their own way.

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