Before we even get into the whisky itself, you may be asking, who or what is Pintail? The keen eyed might notice that their tagline looks very familiar: Purveyors of Precious Wines & Spirits. Turn back a few years and an independent whisky bottler broke onto the scene as “Purveyors of Precious Whiskies” – that was “The Whisky Cellar” – a brand that I have grown to love and admire. This was launched by former Edrington group (Highland Park, Macallan) alumnus Keith Bonnington, and follows a string of releases and brands that we have been happily following: The Whisky Cellar (see notes here), The Scalasaig (see notes here), The Easy Sipper etc.
In the same vein as the recent Brig O’Perth releases (see notes here), the Pintail is also the resurrection of a lost brand from Perth-based spirits merchants Matthew Gloag & Son, and intends to sit alongside the other Bonnington brands to focus on world wines and spirits as well as exploring their influence on scotch whiskies. The range includes cognac, port, rum, and brandy amongst the more unusual scotch whisky finishes.
Here we have one such example, and indeed a world first: a single malt scotch whisky which has been finished in a Floc de Gascogne Rouge barrique.
Now… you can insert own joke about Paul Gascoigne if you like – they are essentially pronounced the same but with a French accent rather than a Geordie/Gateshead accent – but here we are talking about a particular fortified wine from the South West of France. The original sweet aparitif wine is made with two parts partially fermented Tannat and Cabernet Sauvignon grape juice and one part Armagnac.
This Glen Elgin whisky has spent the majority of its 14 years in a refill Hogshead/American oak, before being finished in the titular Floc de Gascogne Rouge barrique for its final 4 months.
The final whisky has been bottled in the distinctive Pintail branded opaque bottles at a very generous 54.1% ABV without chill-filtration or colouring. The cask has produced just 298 bottles, and there are some still available at an RRP of £80 GBP.
Nose
A waxy, polish-like note to start, followed quickly by a lot of mixed summer berries. A very juicy and fruity burst of flavours that remind me of the (appropriately named) “juicy fruit” chewing gums. A moment later and it’s all about jam tarts. There’s a little lemon peel in there too to bring about a little bit zest, and then a set of warming oak spices build, and there’s even a touch of smoke.
Taste
Jam tarts are the first flavour that really jump out. The sweet fruit flavours and baking spices all really work well together. Appropriate to the time of year that I’m writing this, but there is also a strawberries and cream pair of flavours in there too. Maybe even peaches and cream flavours too. There is a slightly herbal or balsamic tangy taste behind it all and an underlying oak flavour to stop this from being too sweet. That 54% ABV adding some lovely lively zip to things too.
Finish
A lovely mid-length combo of fruity sweetness and spice tingle the tastebuds and really welcome another sip/glass.
Verdict
Considering that this is a world first, this is a really well crafted whisky. It remains complex and offers lots of complementary flavours without ever being heavy or overpowering. And that is with just 4 months maturation and exposure to that Floc de Gascogne red wine influence on a 14 year old single malt. You’d be intrigued to see how much flavour and colour the cask would import after many more months, but for the short finish it has had here, there is more than enough fruity character and influence presented. Ideally what you’d really want to have that side-by-side comparison with the malt before that 4 month finish.
Having said that, I am still no expert in being able to detail the exact influence. There were definite red berry fruits and oak spices in there, but other than two very drunken experiences with a Flora and Fauna Glen Elgin 12 Year Old, I have never actually had their own single malt, so I am not entirely familiar with the base malt or inherent distillery profile. That might make it a little bit more difficult to truly say how much the wine cask finish has had on the Speysider, but this cask usage is no less of a big deal.
Going back to the Pintail brand, and I love the stylings of it. You have to wonder just how many hats Keith Bonnington can wear, but as as long as he remains this purveyor of precious whiskies / finished whiskies and producing ones of this quality, then I don’t particularly mind. Maybe they are the Bonnington group of brands altogether? Either way, this is another feather in his cap.
As with many of his releases, this is a cask strength release which manages to not feel like one. At 54.1% this should knock your socks off, but the alcohol strength just plays into the flavour profile and adds to the texture and spice of the overall to bring about a comfortable and approachable whisky. Despite 14 years of being in casks and a fortified wine influence towards the end, the malt remains fresh and vibrant with lots to offer. A real win in my book.
M
Sample disclosure: This sample was received as part of a Pintail / Whisky Cellar / Bonnington Tweet Tasting event run by The Whisky Wire. All notes are intended as an honest, fair, and independent review of the whisky and beer, and not as a promotion. Please drink responsibly. Please drink wisely.
Another thing to point out was that this whisky was received as part of a Whisky Wire Tweet Tasting event and came with custom-printed packet of Tony’s Chocolonely dark chocolate. Keith Bonnington’s palate for top whiskies has not been in doubt, but this additional pairing is testimony to that – and greatly appreciated by the doting enthusiast over here,
whisky unplugged 