Blended Scotch Whisky 1999, 2002, 2005 (Hogshead Imports)

Hogshead Imports is a Dutch brand started by Toon van Rooij, acting as an importer (for Spheric Spirits, Uncharted Whisky, Chapter 7 and Ferg & Harris among others). He’s also acting as an independent bottler (Hogshead Indie), selecting his own casks.

In a relatively short timespan Hogshead released quite a long list of bottlings already and today we’re looking at a slightly uncommon set. Blended Scotch is not something a lot of indie bottlers are offering. These three are all a mix of Macallan malt with North British grain whisky, in different measures.

 

Blended Scotch 18 yo 2005 (45,5%, Hogshead Imports 2023, refill butt, 614 btl.)

Nose: leafy sherry up front. Think tobacco leaves, mulch and moss. Then lightly charred (old) wood, along with mild spice. Some dried fruits and golden raisins in the distance. After a while light minty notes and hints of lemon peelings come out.

Mouth: quite nice. The same leafiness appears, as well as a lemony freshness. Tobacco notes, hints of crushed peppercorns and ginger. Then Demerara sugar, milk chocolate and a berry sourness. Charred notes in the background.

Finish: medium long, with a toffee sweetness and citrusy touches.

This is an easy sipper – totally unpretentious whisky. On the nose you wouldn’t notice the fact that there is some grain whisky involved, but in the mouth it does come out. Always balanced though. As you may know, one of the drams that peaked my interest in whisky (many years ago) was a bottle of Chivas Regal Royal Salute and this reminded me of that. Quite velvety and mild, offering drinkability and reasonable depth. Check Hogshead for availability.

 

 

Blended Scotch 20 yo 2002 (44,9%, Hogshead Imports 2023, refill sherry butt, 589 btl.)

Nose: higher age but slightly sharper, with ginger and juniper standing out more. Sour hints of cranberries. Then increasing hints of hazelnut along with mild vanilla. Light milk chocolate.

Mouth: thinner than the 2005. More focused on cocoa, even mocha, along with cinnamon and mild nutmeg. Some citrusy notes which balance the darker sherry influence. Overall fairly lightweight though, the low ABV seemed to bother me less in the 2005.

Finish: not too long. Hints of caramel and lemon, along with a light bitter edge. It does feel like a blended whisky now.

The grain influence is a bit more obvious here, resulting in a thinner mouthfeel. On its own this would be an uncommon choice for a young independent bottler, but as a series it makes sense. And I guess this set of casks was a package deal, right? Score: 83/100

 

 

Blended Scotch 24 yo 1999 (44,1%, Hogshead Imports 2023, refill sherry butt, 329 btl.)

Nose: older, even more dry sherry influence. Light tobacco and other leaves, dried herbal notes and tea. Whiffs of coffee beans in the distance. Subtle mushrooms perhaps, as well as burnt crusts, minty whiffs and hints of blackberries.

Mouth: hmm, this feels old. But… maybe a slightly faded bottle that has been in your cupboard too long. Caramel notes and milk chocolate, hints of caramelized nuts and pepper. Roasted malt. Still a certain sourness too, as well as a quirky hint of rubber. Reminds me of some 1970s blends.

Finish: medium length, with this caramelized grainy side that I associate with old-school blends.

Old bottle effect in a new bottle? It kinda feels that way. Let’s face it, this is not an absolute stunner, but nonetheless an interesting out of date style. And it wasn’t expensive either, so it does work as a daily dram for outsiders. Check Hogshead for availability. Score: 81/100