Kingsbarns Spirit Drink Review

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: Eastern Lowlands, south of the golf course of St. Andrews, Scotland.
Type: Spirit Drink (New Make Spirit).
Distillation and Maturation Process: Distilled in a newly built distillery with Highland-style pot stills from Fortheyes' copper works in Rothes. This spirit drink is directly from the still, with no maturation in casks. The whisky is distilled slowly to ensure smoothness and avoid unwanted substances.
Age Statement: No age statement, as it is a new make spirit. The first three-year-old Kingsbarns single malt whisky is expected at the end of 2017.
Color and Clarity: Not explicitly described, but as a new make spirit, it would typically be clear.
Bottle Design: A small bottle (0.2 liters) with a signature from the founder, Douglas Clement, on top.

Balance of Flavors: Described as very fruity, with additional floral and malty notes. The use of two yeast strains contributes to its complexity and fruitiness.
Unique Characteristics: Notably smooth and fruity for a new make spirit, with nectarines and caramel notes. It lacks spiciness, vanilla, and other characteristics typically imparted by cask maturation.
Comparison: The extra yeast strain and longer fermentation process (72 hours) differentiate it from typical mass-produced single malt whiskies from Speyside and the islands, which usually use one yeast strain.

Founder's Background: Douglas Clement, the founder, was a professional golf caddy before conceiving the idea of building the distillery in old barns used for tax payments in cereals to the crown.
Distillery Construction: The distillery is built within ancient barn walls, preserving the exterior's historical look while housing modern distilling equipment inside.

Location: Situated in the Kingdom of Fife, near the historic golf course of St. Andrews, the distillery's location and the founder's background as a golf caddy highlight its connection to Scottish golf culture.
Historical Context: The distillery's establishment in old tax barns links it to Scotland's agricultural and monarchical history.

"Very, very fruity." - Horst Luening, describing the spirit's primary characteristic.
"This is the perfect start for a good maturation." - Commenting on the quality and potential of the new make spirit for future aging.

Kingsbarns Spirit Drink is a new make spirit from a newly established distillery in the Eastern Lowlands of Scotland.
It is characterized by its fruitiness, smoothness, and lack of typical cask-derived flavors.
The distillery has a unique story, founded by a former professional golf caddy and built within ancient barns.
Its geographical location and historical context add to its cultural significance.
The spirit's quality is praised for its potential in future maturation.

New Whisky Enthusiasts: Might find the story of Kingsbarns and its approach to making whisky intriguing.
Experienced Whisky Drinkers: Interested in exploring the raw character of new make spirits and the foundational flavors of a whisky before cask maturation.
Golf Fans: May appreciate the connection between the distillery's founder's background and one of Scotland's most famous golf courses.