Nectar Grove Batch Strength (Wemyss)

Independent bottler Wemyss Malts recently launched a batch strength version of Nectar Grove, its Madeira-finished blended malt.

The first version of Nectar Grove was launched in 2018 at the regular 46% ABV, while this batch comes at 54%. It’s said to be a blend of two fruity, nutty Highlands whiskies, sadly no further details though. They were rought together and further matured in Madeira-seasoned casks.

Nectar Grove Batch Strength (54%, Wemyss Malts, Batch #001, 8100 btl.)

Nose: sweet and fruity indeed. Apricots, oranges and Williams pears in a rather tart, juicy style. Some dough, bread crust and hazelnuts. Also hints of toasted wood. Cinnamon pastry. Quite some vanilla and honey too. Maybe just a tad less fruity than how I recall the first version.

Mouth: sweet, spicy and quite winey. Apples, melons and peaches, with a syrupy (slightly cloying) side and a lot of vanilla cream. Brighter kiwi in the middle. Similar pastry / bready notes. Walnuts. Brown sugar.

Finish: long, slightly more woody, with ginger and cinnamon, still some jammy fruits.

The dialed-up sweetness is coupled to a woody side that seems bigger than in the original version. The end result is still pleasant but perhaps not better than the first release, just a matter of preferences.

Score: 84/100