Saltire Rare Malt tasting session

Trying whiskies from a new independent bottler is always an interesting experience. Whether it’s a case of pushing boundaries with innovative cask finishes, or looking for top quality whiskies that show the best of the typical distillery character, there is always something to enjoy. So when I was offered the opportunity to sample four drams from Saltire Rare Malt, who launched their first bottlings earlier this year, I naturally jumped at the chance.

According to the website “Saltire Rare Malt has grown from a longstanding partnership between founders Nigel Heywood and Keith Rennie. Over three decades, the two friends have collected many fine and rare single malts. This shared passion for the ‘water of life’ has led to the creation of Saltire Rare Malt — a vehicle to share their outstanding collection of Single Malt Whiskies.

Over the years, our collection has grown and matured, with over 250 handpicked casks stored in bond. Each spirit is on a journey, just as we are, and each hour that passes shapes something rare and special in every cask.

Among our uniquely curated collection, there are certainly famous labels, rare gems and casks from 'lost distilleries', but above all else, the character of the spirit is what guides us.

The details matter — from barley yields to regional rainfall levels; from cut points to cask types. These variables are what shape the tone, taste and character of a dram, making each individual whisky release very special indeed”.

BENRIACH 14 - 48.8%

REGION	Speyside
DISTILLED	04/05/2024
BOTTLING DATE	29/07/2024
CASK	#3737
ABV	48.8%
MATURED AT	KY15 7BU
AGE	14 Years
BOTTLED AT	Auchtermuchty
NOTES	Refill American Oak Ex Bourbon
BOTTLES IN BATCH	341

Tasting notes

Appearance: The colour of an oak aged Chardonnay, forms a thin line which beads before falling as slow, thin legs

Nose: Tropical fruit salad of mango and pineapple, with zesty lemon, heather honey, a strong floral note and a mildly musty touch of earthy herbs

Palate: Mild fizziness on the palate followed by nectarines, tropical fruit sweets, crème brûlée, runny honey, honeysuckle nectar and a dash of ginger. With water, more creamy vanilla comes through at the expense of some of the ginger prickle

Finish: Warming with a mix of sweet vanilla caramel and drying, mildly bitter herbal woodiness

Overall: An enjoyable dram, the use of an ex-Bourbon cask allowing the typical fruity character of the BenRiach to shine.

DAILUAINE 14 - 48.8 %

REGION	Speyside
DISTILLED	14 July 2010
BOTTLING DATE	15 July 2024
CASK	#308853
ABV	48.8%
MATURED AT	KY15 7BU
AGE	14 Years
BOTTLED AT	Auchtermuchty
NOTES	1st Fill Bourbon Hogshead
BOTTLES IN BATCH	299

Tasting notes

Appearance: Straw coloured, forms a thin line which beads before falling as slow, thick legs

Nose: Green apples together with creamy caramel, vanilla sauce and lemon zest

Palate: Butterscotch toffee, lemon posset, Galia melon, and crystallised ginger

Finish: Becomes nutty and astringent with a prickle of ginger and black pepper

Overall: A really enjoyable mouthfeel followed by butterscotch and lemon citrus notes, there is a touch of drying oak and a slight mustiness akin to Galia melon but it’s not unpleasant. 

ARDMORE 14 - 48.8%

REGION	Highland
DISTILLED	23 June 2010
BOTTLING DATE	24 June 2024
CASK	#803063
ABV	48.8%
MATURED AT	KY15 7BU
AGE	14 Years
BOTTLED AT	Auchtermuchty
NOTES	Refill Barrel - Ex Islay
BOTTLES IN BATCH	249

Tasting notes

Appearance: Pale straw coloured, forms a thin line which beads before falling as slow, thick legs

Nose: Gentle peat smoked haddock drizzled in lemon, salty coastal air and a hint of sour apple sweets 

Palate: Beach barbecued fish, lightly smoked pork with apple sauce, laverbread, milk chocolate caramels, lemon and a touch of peppery heat

Finish: Slightly drying, sea salt, soft smoke, lemon citrus and just a hint of struck match right at the close

Overall: Gentle smoke and orchard fruit from the Ardmore spirit combined with the influence of an Ex-Islay cask sounds like a marriage made in heaven, and this whisky really doesn’t disappoint. The individual elements work in perfect harmony, even the introduction of a mild sulphur note in the finish doesn’t detract from the experience.

CAOL ILA 17 - 48.8%

REGION	Islay
DISTILLED	21 August 2007
BOTTLING DATE	22 August 2024
CASK	#313181
ABV	48.8%
MATURED AT	KY15 7BU
AGE	17 Years
BOTTLED AT	Auchtermuchty
NOTES	Refill American Oak Hogshead
BOTTLES IN BATCH	273

Tasting notes

Appearance: Pinot Grigio in colour, forms a thin line which beads before falling as slow, thick legs

Nose: Barbecued pork, mildly medicinal peat, lemon citrus, petrichor and a hint of musty wood stores

Palate: Smoked mackerel with a sprinkle of sea salt and a side of charred lemon wedges, smoked pork, beach bonfire smoke. With water, the peat smoke comes through together with lemon meringue pie.

Finish: Chilli heat together with astringent nutty oak, soft peat smoke and lemon citrus. With water the chilli is tamed allowing more creamy lemon dessert and medicinal peat to develop

Overall: That classic Caol Ila signature of peat and lemon citrus is here in abundance, although for me this one needs a touch of water to drop down some of the heat and allow the character to really make its presence felt. 

Summary: This was the first time I’ve tried anything from Saltire but on this showing I’m keen to see what else they have to offer. My personal favourite on the night was the Ardmore, very closely followed by the Caol Ila.

What stands out from these four whiskies is the choice of casks sympathetic to the character of each spirit. Bottled with no added colour, no chill filtration and a reasonably hefty 48.8% abv it seems apparent Saltire understand their audience. Some of these releases have already sold out, so I’m sure I won’t be the only one keeping an eye out for further bottlings.

If you would like more information on Saltire and their whiskies, follow the link to the company website 

Transparency: Received free of charge for independent review, all opinions are my own and remain completely impartial.