Notes on The Casual Dram:16
Notes on the lineup… (tickets available here)
Glen Elgin Adelphi 2008 / 2024 15 years old 55.6%
House style - rich (yet delicate), honeyed and slightly waxy.
Maturation - Refill oloroso sherry butt.
Distillation regime - Clear wort, long fermentation (80 - 120 hours) and slow distillation
Still shape - The wash stills are fairly large, with a unique boil ball shape that increases reflux, refining the spirit. The spirit stills are smaller and contribute to the distillery’s rich yet delicate character.
Notes on worm tub - five large wooden tubs on the outside of the distillery.
Peat - no
Knockdhu 'Infrequent Flyers' 2013 / 10 years old 59.2%
House style - Intense, citric (sulphur and veg found on the new make)
Maturation - Pedro Ximénez puncheon.
Distillation regime - Clear worts, medium fermentation times (55 to 80 hours).
Still shape - One wash still, one spirit still.
Wide shouldered pots, small boil ball with tall, narrow necks to promote significant copper interaction.
The lyne arms have a steep downward angle, which helps balance some heavier notes while still maintaining a clean and fruity character.
Notes on worm tub - One cast-iron worm tub which the spirit and wash still worm tubes sit next to each other in.
Peat - no (but is found in the anCnoc brand made at the same distillery).
Edradour 12 years old Cask Strength 2012 Batch 3 58.6%
House style - big and rich.
Maturation - 1st fill & 2nd fill oloroso sherry butt.
Distillation regime - Fermentation over 100 hours, very cloudy worts (to enhance malt profile) slow distillation.
Still shape - The wash and spirit stills are small and squat. Distillation si slow to enhances reflux and copper interaction.
Notes on worm tub - wooden tub located outside the distillery.
Peat - no (but is found in the Ballechin brand made at the same distillery).
Springbank 10 years old Cask Strength Palo Cortado 55%
House style - rich, fruity, earthy and slightly oily. Complex.
Maturation - Palo Cortado.
Distillation regime - Cloudy wort, long fermentation 100+ hours, slow distillation - 2.5 times distillation using an intermediate still for some of the spirit coming off the wash still.
Still shape -
Wash Still - traditional, squat, and slightly onion-shaped with a wide, rounded base. Lyne Arm: Slightly descending, encouraging some heavier compounds to carry over into the next stage.
Intermediate Still - much smaller than the wash still, with a compact pot shape and shorter neck.
Function: Used to redistill part of the low wines, creating the "half distillation" that gives Springbank its unique 2.5x distillation process.
Spirit Still - tall and narrow, with a relatively slim neck. Lyne Arm: Slight downward angle, limiting reflux and allowing some heavier elements to remain in the spirit.
Notes on worm tub - only used on the intermediate still.
Peat - ~12-14 ppm
Mystery whisky
Something distilled at the Springbank distillery, which let’s not forget, is responsible for three brands - Springbank, Hazelburn and Longrow.
