House of Hazelwood, A Different World
House of Hazelwood is uniquely positioned within the Scotch whisky market. Acting as an independent bottler, but with exclusive access to one of the Gordon family's (Glenfiddich, The Balvenie) private stocks. While House of Hazelwood never puts a distillery name on the bottle, this extraordinary grain whisky has come from Girvan, a gargantuan grain distillery in the Lowlands that powers William Grant & Sons' blending operation, with a maximum capacity of 115 million liters of pure alcohol per year. Yet single-grain expressions are exceptionally rare, particularly at this age. This expression was distilled when Girvan was still using maize, and will have qualities no longer seen in today’s grain whiskies.
Nose
Oak spice, raisins, toasted almonds
Palate
Burnt caramel, dryness, ginger spice
Finish
Sea salt, aromatic warmth, figs
This is a bold and concentrated whisky that is really showing its age. On the nose, roasted almond skin, juicy and sticky raisins, and other dried fruits. The wood is also spicy and wraps around all the other aromas. On the palate, a drying mouthfeel is matched by some sweetness but with spice, and that spice is distinctly dried ginger. The finish is good, and there is an intriguing note of saltiness in there that almost ramps up the notes of dried fruits like figs, as well as a warmth that lingers.
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Details
House of Hazelwood, A Different World
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