Kininvie 23 Year Old Single Malt Scotch: Known as one of the youngest distilleries in Scotland from the region of Dufftown, Moray. Kininvie was built from scratch in 1990 on the same vast site as Glenfiddich and The Balvenie, which we’ve tasted plenty of. Kininvie was built to supply malt whisky fillings for Grant’s more successful brands, Family Reserve and Clan Macgregor, and in 2005 Monkey Shoulder that also consists of Balvenie and Glenfiddich. To date, Kininvie have only created two other single malt scotches: the first was a limited edition 15-year-old Hazelwood 105 released in 2006 and the second was 17-year-old Hazelwood reserve that had been specially made to celebrate Janet Sheed Roberts’ 107th birthday released in 2008. However, this isn’t the first 23-year-old Kininie have released. The first was released exclusively in Taiwan, known as Batch 1. Batch 2 was made only available in the U.K, in July 2014. Discreetly written on the back of the black presentation box is an inscription that says “Only available upon invitation or request” which I think is a really cool touch!
On the nose: you’ll be hit with an intense bouquet of sweet oranges – almost like a jar of marmalade has just been thrust underneath your nose, followed by cherries and pears. Notes of a perfume nature will start to filter through, coupled with some rosemary, cinnamon and oak. Right at the end was an ever so light note of candy. On the palate: those ever so sweet oranges nosed are present, though their sweetness is somewhat thwarted by herbs. Notes of chives, along with rosemary and fennel seed start to emerge. Some cinnamon and spicy notes start to come through, followed by a menthol note. Some subdued pears and oak start to emerge making the dram rather refreshing. The finish: is medium – long, honeyed, with a touch of zest and lingering oak.
The verdict: a very warming and enticing dram that is very refreshing but punchy at the same time. A very well-balanced drop, with notes that have been nicely married making it a very enjoyable dram. Aged in a mixture of Hogsheads, Sherry Butts and Bourbon casks, both the fruity and spicy vanilla notes are well represented. The Kininvie 23 Year Old has a ABV of 42.6% and every bottle is numbered uniquely. Definitely a dram, that for me, doesn’t require any water but just a little air-time to allow the dram to breathe. As with all scotches, if you require water then only add a small amount until it is just right for you.
Kininvie 23 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Batch 2) can be found online at The Whisky Shop for approximately £100
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