If you don’t know the Rhythm & Booze Project already, be sure to check out videos of their gigs (e.g. at Bruichladdich during Feis Ile 2023). The blues project was born in 2012 on Islay and it is spearheaded by the lovely Felipe Schrieberg and Paul Archibald. They are fusing music and whisky through live performances and tasting events. No need to tell you Felipe is a well-known whisky writer and judge.
Rhythm & Booze switches to a higher gear with the launch of a new EP paired to a single cask blended malt whisky. On the back label of the bottle you’ll find a QR code that allows you to stream and download the music.
Blended Malt 13 yo (50%, Rhythm & Booze Records 2023, release #1, Oloroso sherry butt, 50cl, 1050 btl.)
Nose: an autumnal, laid back style of sherry that leaves plenty of room for the malty core. Hints of walnuts and black pepper, some lighter pipe tobacco and whiffs of blackberries. Then toffee, various leaves and whiffs of cold filter coffee. Cinnamon pastry in the distance too.
Mouth: sweet onset on maple syrup, with a nice maltiness again, walnut cake and orange peels. Then a few raisins, subtle hints of forest berries and plenty of baking spices. Carmelized hazelnuts. More leafy tobacco again. Later it gets slightly dry and leathery, evolving towards dark chocolate in the end.
Finish: medium length, with more oranges, roasted nuts and leaves – Highlands style.
Rhythm & Booze makes gritty blues music and the whisky is nicely paired. Not a sherry bomb, but it offers an autumnal, leafy sherry style. Overall it really grows on you – take your time, put on a nice track and enjoy. Good selection. This release is now available from Dramfool.