Timorous Beastie “Meet the Beast” 13 - 52.5%
From the Douglas Laing website
Our Timorous Beastie “Meet the Beast” aged 13 years is a limited-edition cask strength marriage of Single Cask Single Malts, only from the Highland region of Scotland. One of only 3,000 bottles, this charming fieldmouse may look somewhat mild, but behind his adorable exterior lies one monster of a Malt Whisky, bursting with explosive spices and cask strength depth.
Nose: Initially sweet - honey and spiced citrus fruits.
Palate: Bursting with burnt orange zest, waxy honeycomb and spicy vanilla.
Finish: Lingering gentle spices and sweet vanilla.
No colour added, no chill filtration. 100% Bourbon matured.
Tasting notes:
Appearance: Pale white wine colour, forms a thin line which beads and falls as thick, oily legs.
Nose: Sweet, vanilla, orange zest, icing sugar and a little spice.
Palate: Thick, chewy mouthfeel. Chocolate enrobed orange peel, dried fruit, vanilla pod and heather honey, with crystallised ginger and cinnamon adding a hit of spice. Opens up with a few drops of water, bringing out more orange zest, baked orchard fruit and the baking spice heat becomes more gentle.
Finish: Vanilla custard with cinnamon and ginger heat which slowly builds. Becomes slightly drying with time in the mouth but not unpleasant. Long and lingering. With water, more fruit and caramelised orange peel, and a little less ginger spice.
Summary: A well balanced, beautifully put together whisky with the Timorous Beastie DNA at the heart of it. Sweet vanilla, citrus zest and orchard fruit shine through and, compared to the other drams tasted, seem to be magnified on the palate and extended through the finish. Despite the high abv this is a very enjoyable whisky to drink neat, however a few drops of water elevates it to another level.
This was my clear favourite of the tasting session and a bottle I will be definitely looking to purchase. Currently priced at £75 it’s a bit of an investment but, on the evidence of this tasting, definitely well worth it. Safe to say, this beastie has well and truly grown up, there’s no need to be timorous in future.
If you would like more information on the range of Douglas Laing whiskies including Timorous Beastie, please visit the company website.
Transparency: this sample pack and tasting session was by invitation of Douglas Laing & Co. The author has no affiliation with the company, all opinions are my own and remain completely impartial.
