It would be pretty much impossible to talk and test the next generation of Scotch blends, without a review of Adelphi’s Maclean’s Nose. It is a blend which already has made waves in less than a year since its launch. In this short time-lapse it was a strong candidate for the 2023 Best Blend Category and nominated by Ralfy, the godfather of whisky YouTubers, as his whisky FOR the year (not of the year) 2024. As can be expected, hype generates possibly unrealistic expectations and not everyone has had the same enthusiasm. So time to judge for myself if the hype is justified. And more importantly, in the context of why I started exploring blends: is it a new-drinker-friendly whisky?
TL:DR: A characterful outdoorsy whisky that makes me want to go for long walks and light bonfires on the beach
Vote*: 7 Very Good Stuff
A quick intro to Adelphi and Ardnamurchan
If you are not familiar with Adelphi, it is an independent bottler founded in 1993. They opened their own distillery, Ardnaurchan, in 2014. Ardnamurchan released its first Single Malt whisky in 2020 and has been gaining a strong reputation among whisky aficionados for the quality of its spirit, for sticking to integrity bottling principles and also for the level of transparency shared, via barcodes on their bottles, with its customers.
The Maclean’s Nose blend was launched less than a year ago, in late April 2023. It claims to have the highest malt content among Scotch blends, at over 70%. Looking at some of the Blended Scotch from Woven and Turntable Spirits, this might be arguable. Nonetheless, it remains a very high malt content blend, miles away from the supermarket shelf blends most of us have tried at some point. Although not explicitly stated, most of the malt is believed to come from Adelphi’s own Ardnamurchan distillery, with a touch (5-6%) of Campbeltown malt. The name for the blend refers to both a landmark near the distillery and Adelphi’s “chief nose”, the famous Charles McLean.
SInce I just noticed Adelphi posting on Instagram about the next batch being bottled at the time of writing this, I asusme this will be a regular release. With the background information done, let’s move to the review of Maclean’s Nose.
Adelphi Maclean’s Nose
Specs
Price paid: 31.76€
Lot/bottled date: 2023 release – 1st release
ABV: 46%
Natural colour: Yes
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Casks Used or Blend components: 70% Malt/30% Grain (scan the QR code above for the full info)
- 40 ex-Bourbon American Standard Barrels of Malt Whisky from the West Highlands (almost a given that this is Ardnamurchan), 2018 (5 YO)
- 5 ex-Bourbon American Standard Barrels of Malt Whisky from Campbeltown, 2016 (7 YO), widely believed to be Glen Scotia
- 12 ex-sherry Hoghsheads of Malt Whisky from the West Highlands (almost a given that this is Ardnamurchan), 2018 (5 YO)
- 21 ex-Bourbon Hoghsheads of Grain Whisky from a Lowlands distillery, 2017 (6 YO)
Tasting Notes
Colour: Dark gold
Nose: There is an underlying aroma that persists on the nose throughout: burnt lime peel, some light caramel, cocoa butter, bonfire and sea breeze. There is some youthful peppery spice. Underneath these stronger notes, there is more complexity coming. The sherry and Campbeltown components bring raisin, hazelnut, orange peel and fermented pineapple. grain toast. After 10 or so minutes in the glass, there is a slight floral note, some grain toast and a hint of tobacco.
Taste: The mouthfeel is slightly thinner and smoother than I would have expected at 46%. The youth of the spirit is evident with some peppery burn but the overall taste compensates for it. Once the spiciness mellows down there is some rich burnt lime peel and burnt honey taste, raisin, peat and jut a touch of iodine and oaky tannins.
Finish: Medium in duration, with a marked mineral feel (rather than a taste), like crushed sea shells, then orange peel, raisins and finishing on pipe tobacco and a little bonfire smoke.
Vote*: 7 Very Good Stuff. I get why not everyone loves it, but it very much resonates for me. One to pack in your hipflask before going for a long winter walk on the beach, or the mountain… or anywhere you like. Glad to have it and even more so at this price.
*Votes are based on the scoring scale used by Dramface, slightly modified to allow half-points
Conclusions
I opened this post with two questions. Is the hype for Maclean’s Nose justified and is it a good choice for new whisky drinkers? Let me start with the latter, which is harder to answer and does lead to the former. If I had to offer a blend to a new drinker, especially someone easing in with sweet fruity drams or someone used to 40% spirits, Maclean’s Nose might be a bit of a step too far. On the other hand, new drinkers who have tried and enjoyed whiskies like Talisker, could enjoy this more.
My feeling is that this blended scotch may not be the first choice for absolute beginners. On the other hand, it can be an intriguing dram for those looking for their next steps in exploring whisky, especially for those who appreciate maritime and/or peaty drams.
This leads me to the first question, is it worth the hype? Clearly, it depends on taste, as it always does. The best whisky is the one you like after all. I fall squarely into the camp of those whose tastebuds resonate with Maclean’s Nose. I love the outdoorsy, slightly rugged character of this whisky. Every time I have some I feel like I want to go for a walk by the beach and light a bonfire. Yes, it is young and slightly hot, but I don’t notice it… because overall it works with the character of this dram
I always find it interesting, after writing my tasting notes, to look at other opinions. Here are a few other reviews of the Maclean’s Nose I enjoyed:
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