Pintail Glen Elgin 2008 Floc de Gascogne (Rouge) Finish - 54.1%
Pintail - the home of the ‘funky wine cask finish’ and another ‘heritage’ brand. Pintail was a Matthew Gloag & Son stablemate of Brig o’ Perth, launched some 35 years later (1931) initially as a dry sherry. Advertised in high society publications such as Tatler through the 1940s and 50s, the brand won international awards for its superior quality as the perfect “11 o’clock to serve to guests before lunch and during meals”.
We acquired the brand last year (retaining the original black bottle - white label look with the Pintail duck in flight refreshed on every label) for a variety of Scotch whiskies finished in interesting ex-wine casks (mainly sweet wines) and also any non-Scotch wines and spirits we select to bottle.
A genuine industry first, finished in a barrique which previously held the sweet wine Floc de Gascogne from the South-West of France. Limited to only 298 bottles.
Tasting notes:
Appearance: Copper gold with a pale pink hue, forms a thin line which beads before falling as slow, thin legs.
Nose: Sweet red berries, strawberry laces, tart lemon, almond slices, sour cherries, quite spirit forward.
Palate: Cherry Bakewell, Strawberry tart with a generous cream topping, red wine and blackberry jus, ginger brings warmth. Water tones down the heat and adds creamy white chocolate with strawberry pieces.
Finish: Sweet red berries and vanilla ice cream, dark chocolate, nutty oak, a hint of musty cloth, a touch of black liquorice and chilli heat.
Overall: It’s an interesting dram, with the Floc de Gascogne cask bringing something a little different into the mix. Well balanced, lovely mouthfeel and packed with flavour. For me, it improves with water although it does bring out more chilli heat.
Currently priced around £80, which feels a little prohibitive but you’re getting something unusual so perhaps not too bad. One I’m glad I tried, and one which makes me wonder what influence this type of cask would have on a heavily peated whisky.
If you would like to know more about The Whisky Cellar and their range of whiskies, please follow the link to the company website.
The Whisky Cellar whiskies are available at retailers such as Top Whiskies and Master of Malt, click the images below to be taken to their websites.
Transparency: this sample pack was received free of charge for independent review. The author has no affiliation with the bottler, all opinions are my own and remain completely impartial.
