Country:
Scotland
Brand:
Whyte & Mackay “The Thirteen”
Type:
Blended Whisky
Age:
13 Years
Alcohol:
40%
Colour:
Full Gold
Nose:
Soft. Needs time to breathe like his younger brother, the W&M Special,
especially when you open up a new bottle. You need to get around a bit of
Alcohol. Malt and Sweet Grains come through as well as Oak, Vanilla and ripe
Bananas. Bit of Honey, lightly Buttered Toast and very light Rubber. Hints of
Dried Fruits like Figs and Sultanas.
Taste:
Malt, Caramel, Tea, Biscuits, Brown Sugar, Honey, light Spices, a touch of
Sherry and Citrus.
Finish:
Medium long. Sweet but not too Sweet with Sugared Tea, Biscuits, Nutmeg, Oak,
Sherry and Licorice.
When
you add a bit of water the Nose opens up with more ease, releasing a balanced mix
of Sweet Malt, Honey, Sweet Grains and the slightest touch of Peat. It’s not unlike Bourbon and I’m
imagining Custard Pudding with a topping of Cherries. No traces of Rubber now. The
Nose definitively benefits from a few drops of Water. It does not do a lot of
good to Palate and Finish however. Therefore I would advise you to add a few
drops of water before Nosing while drinking it neat.
Rating: 80
Nose: 21 – Taste: 20 – Finish: 19 – Overall: 20
General Remarks: Allan & Poynter started as a warehouse in 1843 in Glasgow, gradually getting into the business of storing whiskies as well. The company changed hands various times before it was sold to Whyte & Mackay. Soon afterwards these two partners started to blend whisky. Between 1900 and 1950 the company survived despite the World Wars and the recession. In the sixties things became better. After a large number of take-overs, United Breweries from India took control in 2007.
The
blend is made following the Double Marriage process. First 35 Single Malts that
have been matured in Oak Barrels for at least 12 Years are married and stored
in Sherry Casks from Jerez for another year. This extra year distinguishes this
blend from the usual 10-12years of maturation. Finally this Malt Blend is mixed with 6 Grain
Whiskies before bottling. The Thirteen replaces the former 12 Years.
Drinking
Experience Neat: Good
Drinking
Experience on the Rocks: Good
Conclusion:
To be honest I had expected a bit more of the Thirteen. The Nose is the best
part of this Blend, especially when opened with a couple of drops of water.
But, as so often, Palate and Finish can’t deliver what the Nose promises. It’s
certainly not a bad blend and it’s quite okay on the Rocks. And it’s not
expensive. Still, I can’t see me buying another full bottle that easily again. It’s
simply not distinctive enough.
Jan
van den Ende August 12, 2012
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