The Lakes Distillery The One Port Cask Finished

After sampling three from The Lakes Distillery, I’m nearing the end of my “The One” series reviews. Each tasting increases my anticipation for my upcoming visit. My initial experience with the orange cask left me wanting, as it seemed to lack distinct character and was rather bland. The Moscatel was impressively vibrant. Now, for the port cask, which should be straightforward, I’m concerned about the grain content and how it will interact with the intensity of a port cask. As is typical for all ‘The One’ series, it’s a blend of grain and malt whisky from the Highlands, Speyside, and Islay, featuring “Lakes Single Malt at its heart.” This particular blend was matured in first-fill Portuguese Tawny and Ruby Port casks. A promising start. Nose: Slightly thin to oily. Notes of stewed red fruits and raisins with some oak spice. Over time, a more distinct fresh cherry and ginger spice emerge. It’s not as potent as I expected and carries a slight ethanol sharpness. However, the ethanol seems to hint at peat, with just a faint trace of vegetal smoke. Palate: A prickly and drying tannic initial sensation. Rich plum, dark chocolate bitterness, wood spice, and cinnamon. A light citrus spray with nuttiness and abundant pepper. It’s quite active and slightly overwhelmed by the pepper. The fruity notes, when present, are juicy but fleeting. Finish: Moderate. Lingering pepper and dark cherry (reminiscent of Dr Pepper or cherry cola). I should have tasted this second and concluded The One series with the Moscatel. In a word: pepper. This is a port cask, and the nose led me to believe good red fruits and pleasant bakery spices would be present, but unfortunately, they are difficult to discern amidst a barrage of pepper. I strongly feel these The One blends are too internally conflicted. The excellent cask selections haven't compensated for the basic base spirits, potentially muted by the grain component. I may be being overly critical, but there are many superior port-finished spirits available, notably my current favorite, the Arran Port NAS. Here's hoping the Lakes Makers Series brings redemption… [Shown with an Andalusite Slate, dating back approximately 500 million years. This is a classic metamorphic rock from the Lake District, originating from Skiddaw, located across Bassenthwaite Lake from the Distillery]

Nose: Smells of stone fruit, sweet raisins, red grapes, and a faint whiff of tobacco smoke. Palate: Smooth texture. Sweet berry flavors, some baking spices. Subtly woody. Finish: Plum and jam-like fruit. Some barrel spice appears and fades. A sweet yet dry finish. Notes: I have a fondness for port-finished whiskies, and this one is no exception. I'm enjoying the sweetness and red fruit flavors it provides.