Bought – The Whisky Exchange, 11th November 2014
Ratings:
82.91/100 – Whiskybase (average from 13 member votes)
I first tried a dram by the independent bottlers ‘Adelphi’ in a whisky bar, summer of 2014, in Aberdeen, Scotland. It was a cask strength mystery malt called “Breath of Islay”. Not all single malts from Islay float my boat, so I wasn’t surprised when the first scent I detected from this whisky was ‘urinal’. Probably not one of the words Adelphi would use in their marketing literature. I persevered (because I know Islay malts of old) and I was eventually rewarded with a beautiful drink AND reminded I needed to buy some more toilet duck.
Impressed with my first Adelphi experience, and a renowned Highland Park fan, this Fascadale release for 2014 instantly caught my eye. The packaging and presentation of the bottle is simple and unfussy, perhaps a little too much so. A limited release of 1391 bottles but the bottles aren’t individually numbered. They are however 46%, natural colour and unchillfiltered. Adelphi’s advertising on the side of the box is also very impressive, where they say they only select 4% of the whisky they are offered to ensure that only the best quality, rarest single casks, are released.
Initially 85/100 on Whiskybase after 3 votes it has settled to just below 83/100, which is still an excellent rating.
Whisky Den 