Bimber Ex-Bourbon Batch No. 1

Score: 14/23 Details known: 51.8% ABV, finished in bourbon casks. Nose: Pleasant. It's mellow and easy to approach, featuring sweet apple and tangerine alongside subtle maltiness and a hint of earthy funk. It seems a bit young, adding complexity. There's a slight oiliness, but minimal fusel alcohols, though some contribute a bitterness that complements the earthy funk. A touch of tart dryness is present, reminiscent of Clynelish or Kavalan Soloist Port (though dissimilar overall, they share this characteristic). A waxy lemon peel note is also detected. Overall, not perfectly balanced, but its equilibrium is quite good, and the imperfections add intrigue. Palate: Sweet with a moderate mouthfeel. A tart, dry waxiness transitions into earthy funk. A persistent warmth borders on harshness, though the alcohol isn't overpowering. It's slightly oily, likely from the proof. Malt is barely perceptible. Lemon peel and dry grain are noted. Initially, I'd suspect a single grain or blend, not a single malt. Sufficient sweetness suggests malt, but I'd still guess a (quite good) blend. Finish: Flavors soften, but the warmth continues. Notes of ripe grain appear, followed by sweet, fruity apple. - Conclusion - It's good, but not exceptional. Compared to Signatory's Caledonian 29 (12/23), this has less power and wood influence, but neither is particularly woody. This one is more engaging, sweeter, and more approachable. I prefer this one. This prompts comparison with Compass Box Artist's Blend (13/23). This offering is slightly more nuanced but has a more pronounced burn and lacks the milky sweetness that reminds me of Auchroisk. They are quite comparable. Some might favor this over Knappogue Castle 12 (15/23) because the Knappogue Castle shares the easy-drinking quality of the Compass Box, sacrificing complexity for approachability and taste. It definitely lacks the boldness, maturity, and refinement of That Boutique-y Whisky Company's Auchroisk 19 (17/23). It won't reach that standard. Therefore, it falls within the 13-16 range. I'm hesitant about a 16, but a 15 is plausible. I'll settle on a 14. Thanks to a friend for sharing this. I'm always interested in trying whisky from the UK outside of Scotland. Bimber shows promise, although I'm not particularly thrilled with its current young expressions.

Since trying Cotswolds, I've been eager to explore more English whiskies and obtained a sample of Bimber's ex-bourbon batch 1, aged for approximately 3 years and bottled at 51.8% ABV. The nose begins with a mildly astringent and earthy mix of lemon juice, charred pineapple, and wood chips, followed by gooseberries coated in cocoa powder and light floral notes, then nectarines and tangerine orange, transitioning to subtle baking spices and a polyester-like note with a moderate alcohol burn. The palate has a thin to medium body, starting with light, creamy orchard fruits before quickly shifting to a moderately bitter spice that gradually fades to lemon pith, charred pineapple, and sawdust, then golden raisins covered in cocoa powder and light honeysuckle, followed by white grapes, grapefruit, and tangerine orange zest, transitioning to subtle baking spices and a polyester-like note with a moderate alcohol burn. The finish is medium in length, beginning with sour citrus and light florals that slowly recede into an earthy and mildly bitter profile. This is simply too sour and astringent for my preference, likely needing more time in the barrels to mellow its youthful characteristics. I am more sensitive to sour flavors than most, so others might find this more agreeable. However, at a price point of around $150 near me, I would much rather purchase Cotswolds for nearly half the price, as it better suits my palate.

The nose presented sweet tropical spices and fruit that wasn't quite ripe, along with tropical vanilla and ripe fruit funk. It also had sweet, sharp, dusty grain notes resembling sugar or syrup. After adding water, the aroma softened slightly without major changes. The palate brought hot, dusty grain heat and a tingle, followed by tropical honey, tropical vanilla, baking spices, dried apples, and unripe banana/plantain. With water, the heat and baking spice notes lessened, but the peculiar sweet yet unripe fruit funk remained. The finish lingered with floral, fruity, sweet funk, unripe bananas/plantains, and gentle heat. Adding water maintained this, but removed the heat. Final Thoughts: This was quite interesting, reminiscent of cask strength Amrut but without the intensity. It possesses a very unique nose and taste, which is hard to describe beyond a funky tropical barley. It has a sweet funk that is neither unpleasant nor particularly pleasant. It has a tropical character alongside dusty barley and an artificial, almost Splenda-like sweetness. It handles water well, primarily just softening the ethanol burn. Would I drink it if offered? - Possibly Would I specifically order it? - Possibly Would I buy a bottle? - No NOTE - All reviews are done without factoring in price.

A sample from the Summerton Virtual Whisky Festival, with 8 barrels set to be released after the event, totaling 1,948 bottles. This spirit deviates significantly from a standard Scotch whisky, with a strong ex-bourbon cask character. The aroma presents bread and wood notes. It has a very substantial feel for a young whisky, exceedingly fruity with sweet vanilla. The finish carries a fair amount of pepper, ultimately leaving a sweet, honeyed aftertaste. A pleasant dram that suggests potential for future, more mature bottlings.

Gorgeous, with sweetness and spice. It hits the mouth with a kick but goes down smoothly. A delightful, daring young whisky

Appealing aroma, possesses considerable strength. Perhaps a bit too intense. Spicy finish.