Cotswolds Founder's Choice

Continuing my exploration of Cotswolds, I have a sample of their Founder's Choice, bottled at 60.1% ABV. The nose is bold and rich, starting with powdered sugar dusted strawberries, caramelized mangos, and leather, followed by blond roast espresso, pipe tobacco, and toasted coconut. Then comes raspberry pie, dehydrated apricots, and grilled pineapple rings, transitioning to baking spices and polished cedar furniture, with a strong ethanol burn. The taste has a dense and oily mouthfeel, beginning with creamy tropical fruits, sautéed strawberries, and leather, followed by a spicy blond roast mocha, fresh pipe tobacco, and coconut macaroon. Next are freeze-dried raspberries, apricots, and lemon-lime candy, transitioning to baking spices, black pepper, and polished cedar furniture, with a high ethanol burn. The finish is long, featuring raspberry pie, dehydrated apricots, creamy tropical fruits, honeysuckle, spicy blond roast mocha, black pepper, baking spices, and polished cedar furniture. This is simply wonderful; the higher proof has intensified the typical Cotswolds flavors while avoiding the intense spice I noticed in their Reserve. It drinks much older than its age, with some polished oak notes. At 60.1%, the proof is apparent throughout the experience, and I wouldn't recommend this to anyone not accustomed to drinking higher-proof spirits, as it might be too intense. However, for those who have developed their palate and acclimated to higher-proof drams, this would likely be an excellent choice to buy a dram or a bottle of. At a price of around $80+, I believe this is an absolute bargain in today's market, capable of rivaling some of the best spirits available without costing a fortune.

A pour from an online World Whisky Day event. Excellent. Features tropical and deep fruit notes. Smell: Honey, Caramel, Pears, Strawberries, Raspberries, Cherries, Floral elements, Peaches, Apricot, Mango, Passion Fruit, Banana, Plums, Dates, Pineapples, Plums, Chocolate Taste: Raisins, Honey, Citrus, Cherries, Chocolate, Raspberries, Pepper, Toffee, Apples, Apricots, Sultanas, Vanilla, Bananas, Coconut Aftertaste: Cherries, Raspberries, Strawberries, Dates, Chocolate, Plums, Raisins, Apricot, Vanilla, Pepper, Citrus, Sultanas, Bananas, Butterscotch

The color on this whisky is incredible for the age, the casks are clearly incredibly active and contributing to lovely complexity in flavor that impacts the spirit in such a short time. On the nose it has dark chocolate and rich red fruit with a nice subtle hint of wood spice. Palate is surprisingly oily and rich with cereal and a sweet honey and red fruit. Finish is long and spicy with nuttiness and a plenty of dried fruits.

Aroma: Croissant, peaches and cream, milky coffee. A very luscious, soft aroma with a slight bitter undertone. Exceptionally well-balanced. Flavor: Malty, oaky, with some cloves. I agree with the rye note mentioned by another reviewer, it really comes through on the finish, and ginger is also detectable. It's spicier than the aroma suggested. Coffee notes emerge as it opens, reminiscent of the milky coffee from latte machines (in a good way). It's smoother than the alcohol content would indicate.

Similar to the distillery's lower-proof offerings, this one presents a variety of orchard fruits. However, the alcohol's intensity means the higher strength detracts rather than enhances, and my sample wasn't large enough to experiment with adding water. If you appreciate Cotswolds (which you should) and can handle high-proof whiskey, this might be perfect for you.

Shocked that this is such a young spirit. The aroma is amazing, with hints of butterscotch, fruit, and floral notes, but not excessively sweet. The flavor profile is similar, finishing with a distinct spicy tingle. Unsure if the heat comes from the high alcohol content or the barrel. It holds its proof well and hardly seems like 60% ABV.