Last week I received three review samples from the German independent bottler C & S. Here are my findings:
Little Piggy (Ballindalloch) 6 yo C & S Dram Collection
Sherry puncheon #900078 – 65.5%
My Tasting Notes:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Bircher muesli with grated apples, oats and raisins, white pepper.
Palate: A strong alcoholic punch is followed by apples, porridge, grapefruit, hints of raisins, nutmeg and pepper .
Finish: Rather short, alcoholic and slightly fruity.
Overall: This bottle is not an example for the “young whisky can be great too” statement you often hear from NAS supporters. It was frankly bottled too young. Youthful cereal and stinging ethanol dominate this whisky that should have been left in the cask a few years longer.
Rating: 74/100
Ballindalloch is the pseudonym of a famous Speyside distillery that does not like its name to be used for independent bottlings.
Benrinnes 9 yo C & S Dram Collection
Hogshead #309916 – 57.2%
My Tasting Notes:
Colour: Pale straw
Nose: Walnuts, hints of apples, vanilla, freshly cut wood, hints of lemon zest and a tiny whiff of smoke.
Palate: Walnuts, breakfast cereals, vanilla, fresh apples, hints of banana and lemon, nutmeg and white pepper.
Finish: Medium long, slightly fruity and slightly spicy.
Overall: Again this is rather youthful but it feels more rounded than the Ballindalloch, which makes it much more pleasant to drink.
Rating: 83/100 – Price Tag: €49
Benrinnes 24 yo C & S Dram Senior
Hogshead #446 – 56.3%
My Tasting Notes:
Colour: Dark gold
Nose: Orange zest, toasted nuts, waxed leather, vanilla, mace, hints of cinnamon and pepper.
Palate: Orange zest, hints of banana and pineapple, honey, cinnamon, hints of cardamom and pepper.
Finish: Long, fruity and slightly spicy.
Overall: Now we’re talking. This is a delightful dram, and it proves that Benrinnes does not necessarily need a sherry cask to excel. And the pricing is very reasonable regarding today’s inflated whisky prices.
Rating: 88/100 – Price tag: €124
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