Nc'nean Organic Single Malt

Founded in 2017, Nc'Nean is one of the most recent Scottish distilleries. Its name, difficult to pronounce, originates from "Neachneohain", a figure from Gaelic legend known as the Queen of Spirits. The tale describes her as a huntress, a fierce guardian of nature, and someone unafraid to forge her own path. This ethos guides the distillery's strategy, focusing on organic barley, renewable energy, and eco-friendly practices. It's entirely sustainable. Despite having sampled organic whiskies before with unimpressive results, this one genuinely surprised me. The whisky, bottled at 46% ABV, has a color like peach juice. The nose was truly unexpected. It presented a profusion of stewed fruits, including stewed apples, cider, malted barley, and the most accurate pineapple pie scent I've ever encountered, evoking childhood memories. Stewed grapefruits and vanilla powder were also present. The palate wasn't intricate or extraordinary, but it was quite good, featuring a novel tasting note for me: QUAKER OATMEAL. It's important to understand that in Ecuador, where I reside, Quaker Oatmeal is a very popular beverage for lunch and breakfast. It begins quite sweet, followed by stewed apples, cider, and pepper. There was also a salty popcorn taste. All of this occurred within the first sip, as everything after that initial taste was Quaker Oatmeal. The finish didn't maintain the same pace and felt a bit brief, though very well executed. A pleasant hay note, a faint but enjoyable puff of smoke, and a slightly sulphuric character were detected. Burnt hay and vanilla powder were also present. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this whisky. It was exceptionally interesting, especially for a 3-year-old dram. At 46% ABV, the alcohol was imperceptible; this has been beautifully and lovingly crafted. While it lacks complexity and has a short finish, the existing notes are remarkably clean and appealing. My rating is a solid 88 out of 100, and I will be closely watching this distillery's future releases to observe its growth. Cheers!

I was eager to sample this for a considerable duration. A childhood holiday spot near the present-day Nc’nean Distillery on Scotland’s remote west coast holds deep personal significance for me. This spirit surprisingly evoked memories of my youth! Previously, I found their botanical spirit, a hybrid between whisky and gin, quite enjoyable. I also sampled their early new make spirit at an event, which was remarkably intriguing. By 2019, I had the privilege of tasting their ‘A’ and ‘B’ samples to provide tasting notes, fostering a sense of connection. I'm pleased to confirm this young, non-age-stated whisky is a satisfying dram. BATCH.01 Distillation dates: April, May & July 2017 Number of bottles: 5040 Spirit recipe: Light and Fruity Yeasts: Anchor and Fermentis Cask mix: 65% STR Red Wine, 35% Ex-Bourbon Cask numbers: 2017 / 67, 68, 69, 91, 93, 94, 95, 121, 122, 124, 177, 179, 208, 212 Disgorging date: 20/08/2020 Bottling date: 27/08/20 - 04/09/20 Bottling strength: 46% Non-chill filtered. Natural colour. Nose: Sweet, with notes of caramel and floral elements. Palate: A touch of heat and pepper, with vibrant citrus fruit, softened by a pleasant, smooth texture. An underlying herbaceous quality is present. Finish: A rather extended finish, offering warmth, spice, and a gentler citrus note at the conclusion. This is not a dram for a cold evening by the fire, but rather one for enjoying on a summer day. Its delicate and light character both showcases and masks its youth. It's a pleasant, albeit young, dram with an elegance that suggests it will be exceptional with additional maturation.

Aroma: Sweet, with orange zest, honey, Golden Syrup caramel, and floral notes. Taste: A little 'hot', with pepperiness and zingy fruit (citrus), along with stone fruit (peach) and caramel. It has a wonderfully soft, buttery mouthfeel. There's an almost herbal undertone. Finish: A rather long finish, warm, with butterscotch and malt loaf. Light spices, caramel, and gentle warmth. Softer citrus notes on the aftertaste. I had previously tried and enjoyed Batch 1, and was quite impressed. I was also keen to see how subsequent releases in the core range would evolve, to check for recipe tweaks. To my surprise, this is very, very similar to Batch 1. They conducted extensive market research prior to the first core batch release and appear to be maintaining that flavor profile. I'm pleased with this approach overall; it remains an excellent light summer dram and possesses decent complexity for such a young spirit. I've found myself returning to it multiple times and have even started seeking it out at bars – always a positive indicator. I've just purchased a replacement bottle! BATCH 11 Distillation dates: February, March, May, and June 2018 Bottle count: 5040 Spirit recipe: Light and Fruity Yeasts: Anchor & Fermentis Cask composition: 65% STR Red Wine, 35% Ex-Bourbon Cask numbers: 2018 / 51, 120, 243, 240, 36, 37, 47, 48, 101, 233, 229, 230, 299, 23 Disgorging date: 21/10/2021 Bottling date: 01/11/202 - 29/11/2021 Bottling strength: 46% Non-chill filtered. Natural color.

This is an engaging young whisky, versatile on the nose. While young, it is also very potent. Vanilla milk, crumbly butter cookies, white chocolate with blanched almonds, and a mild white grape vinegar are present. The nose is brief and fades a bit at the top. This is understandable for a 3-year-old and not really bothersome. It's pleasant, intriguing, and charming. The palate is also nice and quite unique, differing from anything else. Sweet grapefruit, crispy buttered toast with lemon jam, sugary, bitter almonds are detected. It's rather strong, but the finish is satisfying. This whisky is interesting and skillfully made. Engaging and distinctive.

This is my initial experience with this distillery, and it appears they are excelling! The initial aroma is delightful. The former red wine barrels are evident with a vibrant scent, not abrasive for a young spirit. A sugary sweetness on the nose that I can't quite identify, and it's quite complex and bursting with fruit! The aroma carries over to the taste, remaining sweet and fruity. It has a moderate finish and a pleasant warming sensation. Not overly sweet, but quite enjoyable! I appreciate the inclusion of the STR casks!

I approve of the direction this distillery is headed and it's fascinating to learn about their use of only renewable energy. Considering it's only three years old, the whisky shows a lot of potential with older barrel stocks to come. However, for now, the flavors are light and its youthfulness is still quite noticeable.