White Peak Prologue Release 2.1 Single Malt Spirit

This one is interesting. I received it in a Christmas bundle from my local whisky shop as a loyal "tasting-club" member. This new distillery seems promising, and as far as I know, I haven't tried any English single malt before – a first for me. I'm unsure why they'd use premature distillate, but with only 560 bottles released, it seems they sacrificed only two or three casks. The nose is incredibly sweet and fudgy, like excellent creamy white chocolate. A hint of vanilla and some subtle floral notes. Ripe banana is present, along with distinct Werther's Butter candies and a side of fresh, sweet fruit sorbet. Later, fresh, untoasted white bread joins the profile. Honestly, it's surprisingly pleasant. It possesses interesting depth, is exceptionally smooth, and not at all harsh, despite its high ABV. Even at that age, it was likely diluted from around 62% ABV, but at 50%, it still feels quite gentle. It suggests a very generous middle cut. The palate doesn't quite match the smooth depth of the nose, but it's simply tasty. It doesn't offer the familiar broad richness of Scotch but tastes good. It's truly unique, something I've never encountered before. Highly recommended, refreshing, intense, and quite exciting. The finish has a lot of grain and fruit sauce character. It's nice and enjoyably long. After finishing, this future whisky reminds me of the Tobermory 12yr, which I liked a lot. That was a welcome change of pace. This spirit is as young as my appreciation for whisky, which began about two years ago, so there's a connection. I'll definitely keep an eye on White Peak, secretly hoping for a peated version. Incidentally, I've encountered many much less interesting and bland whiskies over 10 years old that were quite disappointing. While the relatively high ABV certainly enhances the aroma and taste package, I judge a spirit on its nose, palate, and finish. If 50% ABV makes it this good, it demonstrates the distillery's focus on quality, enjoyment, and experience over maximizing bottle count at 40%.

I really liked this one. Looking forward to the release.