The English Smoky Virgin - 46%
Based in Norfolk, St George’s Distillery are England's oldest whisky distillery and an independent family owned business. Originally conceived by father and son partnership James and Andrew Nelstrop as a micro-distillery, plans quickly changed due to HMRC requiring a still size of no less than 1800 litres.
With the help of then retired ex-Laphroaig Master Distiller Iain Henderson, production started and the first 29 casks laid down in December 2006.
St. George’s use locally sourced barley and fresh water from the Brecklands aquifer which runs beneath the distillery.
From the distillery
It is two & a half years since we last released this wonderful single malt whisky. We love the rich fruitiness of the whisky along with the deep wood smoke that combine to give such a delightful taste. Launching in the first days of Spring – this whisky will be wonderful to see you through those last cold snaps as we wave goodbye to winter.
Tasting Notes:
Appearance: Honey gold, forms a thin line which falls as thick, oily legs.
Nose: Soft smoke, tropical fruit, vanilla and caramel.
Palate: Gentle peat smoke, baked apples with vanilla custard, sticky caramel sauce and a hint of citrus fruit. Water adds creaminess and brings out more of the soft smokiness.
Finish: Long and softly smoky, especially with a few drops of water. Caramel sweetness persists along with mild ginger warmth.
Summary: Matured in Virgin Jim Beam Casks, the influence of the American Oak really shines through and marries well with the smoky spirit. Although peated to a hefty 55ppm, the smoke is soft in nature and adds a warm, comforting blanket rather then dominating proceedings. A few drops of water really bring out the best in the whisky, opening it up and enhancing both the smokiness and the mouthfeel.
A really enjoyable smoky malt, one worth investigating for anyone who wants to ease themselves gently into exploring the world of peat. At a price of £65 there are a fair few cheaper alternatives out there, but if you want to see how well an English distillery can produce a peated whisky, this is certainly worth a look.
If you would like to know more about The English whiskies, and the St. George’s distillery, follow the link to the company website.
Transparency: This sample was part of a 5 dram sample set, purchased from The Spirits Embassy. No goods or other incentives were exchanged, offered or requested for this independent review.
