Firkin Ten: Benrinnes 2008 Madeira - 48.9%
Although an independent bottler, Firkin Whiskies approach is a little more left field and owes much to the experimental nature of founder, Mike Collings.
Their approach involves taking a whisky of around 10 years old and giving it second maturation in a custom 'double oak cask', seasoned with a fortified wine specifically chosen to match the spirit.
From the Top Whiskies website:
Firkin Whisky Company want to take you on a journey with Firkin Ten. They’ve married whisky from the Benrinnes distillery in Aberlour, Speyside with the tangy and spicy richness of Portuguese Madeira wine. Sounds crazy, but in their double wood hand-built casks; it’s just crazy enough to work.
Firkin's custom single cask use a combination of American first-fill Bourbon staves & new French Limousin oak staves with a custom char. This Double Oak cask, in combination with the spicy richness of Madeira, creates a unique flavour profile. What emerges is rich, lively and a tad spicy.
Bottled: Natural colour and without chill filtration. Outturn: 305 Bottles.
Tasting notes:
Appearance: Pale gold, forms a thin line which falls as slow, medium legs.
Nose: Ripe red apples, vanilla custard, coconut mushroom sweets and a hint of nutmeg.
Palate: Medium/thin on the palate, apple and vanilla custard pastries, orange peel, tropical fruit, nutmeg and cinnamon provide spice.
Finish: Baking spices, tropical fruit and dried orange peel.
Summary: Light and warmingly spicy, the apple and vanilla custard butter pastry note providing a delightful pudding-like character to the experience. The Madeira influence adds a lovely sweetness to the nose and a little more spice and complexity on the palate without being overpowering.
At £69, natural colour, non-chill filtered and 48.9% abv it’s hard to fault. My personal preference is more towards the peated Ledaig and Caol Ila Marsala cask offerings, but there will be many who can’t get enough of this one.
If you would like more information on Firkin Whisky follow the link to the company website. Firkin whiskies are available at Top Whiskies, which can be reached by clicking on the image below.
