Blended Island Malt Scotch Whisky in Hong Kong @ 40%

SPICE KING 8 year old, 40% - Rated at 5 stars & 88 points

HKD 590

Spice King 8yr old - "5 stars. A superb wintery whisky." CLASS Magazine, December 2010

Silver Medal Winner - 88/100 Highly Recommended, Beverage Tasting Institute

Silver medal International Spirits Challenge 2011 (ISC)

This is a blend of malt whiskies, with an emphasis on 8 year old Island malt. Out of the cask the colour is of pale straw, accentuated in this blend to the colour of fine old amontillado sherry. On the nose, there is a hint of spice as the name suggests with a slight trace of carbolic soap. The dominant flavour is fresh and reminiscent of damp moss, with undertones of freshly-turned earth on a clear Scottish day. On swallowing, this develops into a sweet spicy character which lingers pleasantly to be enjoyed to the full.

From WhiskyIsrael:

Nose: Spice (ginger, cinnamon), with some vanilla, pepper, also some sweeter notes of honey, ripe orange, and herbs.

Palate: spicy stuff, with lots of ginger, a bit of chilli, and earthy notes of bits of peat, a sweet middle layer of malty notes comes through then the spice makes a comeback! And the 2nd wave of spice and chilly is even more powerful than the first round, Interesting layers interleaved.

Finish : Remains of peat, and dry chilli.

This is one spicy mama, and the spicy, not spicy (malty notes) then spicy again makes it even more interesting. It’s good stuff. I quite liked it. But beware, if you like sweeter malts with a lot of chocolate,vanilla and fudge, this one is not your cup of tea. On the other hand if you do value spice, pepper and chilly, interlaced with malt, then yes, you need to give this a try. Not bad, and well priced.

Score: 84/100

Category: Blended Malt, Island, On sale, Wemyss, Whisky