Whisky Review/Tasting: Scallywag Cask Strength

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Distillation and Maturation: A blend of whiskies from various Speyside distilleries, including Morlach, MacKellen, and Glenrothes. The whisky is matured in a mix of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, with the bourbon casks being refill ox heads, which are larger than standard American barrels.
Age Statement: No age statement provided.
Color and Bottle Design: The whisky is described as quite dark, a characteristic attributed to its maturation in sherry butts. The bottle features the image of a little dog, a terrier, which is a nod to the Douglas Lang family's tradition of owning such dogs and the source of the whisky's name.

Overall Flavors: A complex blend of fruitiness, sherry influence, and spices. The cask strength of 53.6% ABV contributes to its robust profile.
Unique Characteristics: The whisky exhibits a burst of zesty orange, sweet tobacco, cocoa, and rich fruitcake on the finish. The palate can detect dark chocolate and cocoa, with stewed fruits and Christmas spices like nutmeg and cinnamon. Adding a few drops of water brings out more fruitiness and reduces the spiciness, revealing fresh tobacco and more pronounced orange notes.
Comparison: Compared to the Scallywag at 46% ABV, this cask strength version has a more complex flavor profile and a longer, though still medium, aftertaste.

Anecdotes: The name "Scallywag" is inspired by the terrier dogs owned by the Douglas Lang family, reflecting a personal touch and family tradition in the branding of this whisky.

Speyside Heritage: The whisky embodies the rich tradition of Speyside whiskies, known for their complexity and variety. The use of whiskies from renowned distilleries like Morlach, MacKellen, and Glenrothes adds to its prestige and appeal.

"It's very complex because it comes from a lot of different distilleries, so this is more complex than a young single malt, definitely." - Horst Luening
"The aftertaste shows that it's not too old." - Horst Luening, indicating that despite its complexity, the whisky does not exhibit the oakiness typically associated with long maturation periods.

Scallywag Cask Strength is a Speyside blended malt scotch whisky with a robust flavor profile of fruitiness, sherry, and spices.
Matured in a mix of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, contributing to its dark color and rich flavors.
The whisky's name and branding pay homage to the Douglas Lang family's tradition of owning terrier dogs.
Offers a complex and engaging tasting experience, with a notable improvement in complexity and aftertaste length compared to its lower ABV counterpart.
Lacks the oakiness of longer-matured whiskies, indicating a relatively younger age despite its complexity.

For Whisky Enthusiasts: Those with a penchant for exploring complex flavor profiles and appreciating the nuances of blended malt whiskies will find Scallywag Cask Strength particularly enjoyable.
For Speyside Lovers: Individuals who enjoy the rich and varied expressions of Speyside whiskies will appreciate the blend of distilleries and flavors in this whisky.
For Cask Strength Admirers: Whisky drinkers who prefer the intensity and depth of flavor that cask strength whiskies offer will likely enjoy the robustness of Scallywag Cask Strength.