This year, Cutty Sark celebrates its 90th birthday and 80 years since the Repeal of Prohibition in 1933. The brand is closely related with Prohibition, actually it was created for the highly restricted but also very lucrative market in the US, and it was distributed by smugglers like Captain Bill McCoy at the time.
This Cutty Sark Prohibition Edition was aged in American oak casks and bottled at 50% (100 US proof). It seems there will be two other versions, a McCoy 23 Edition and McCoy 1923 Edition, all at this higher strength. Shortly available in the US, later also in other markets.
Cutty Sark ‘Prohibition Edition’
(50%, OB 2013)
Cutty Sark ‘Prohibition Edition’Nose: almost completely on butter caramel, vanilla and sticky toffee, in a way that reminded me a lot of The Glenrothes Select Reserve (obviously Cutty Sark uses a lot of Glenrothes). Plenty of honey. Also a slightly musty, earthy sherry influence (overripe figs and oranges), again not uncommon for Glenrothes. Soft spices in the background.
Mouth: malty and medium sweet. Again some honey, butterscotch and vanilla. Also a slightly winey / beer note. Overripe oranges. Praline. The grains only come out in the end with a slight harshness alongside a peppery note.
Finish: medium long, sweet and grainy with more caramel.
Even though it’s nice to see such a “malt profile” in a blend, this particular expression is a tad too malty and heavy on the toffee / caramel flavours for my taste. I prefer the citrus freshness of the Cutty Sark Storm for example. No price information yet.
Score: 77/100