Five Light Whiskies for Spring

let’s begin

Spring is the season of cool weather and easy going days. It’s smooth and mellow and you need a light hearted scotch to go with it. Light Whiskies capture the spirit of Spring perfectly.

Here we explore five light whiskies that are perfect for sipping on an easy going spring night.

Auchentoshan American Oak

Bottle cost: £29.95

Distilled in the Scottish Lowlands, Auchentoshan is well known for its lighter flavour profile, which comes from the fact that it is triple distilled. This edition has been matured in American Oak Ex-Bourbon barrels.

The nose opens with lots of vanilla and toffee and a crisp tang of citrus fruits. Caramalised orange and dulce de leche swirl together to create a dessert like flavour.

The palate is just as rich but not overwhelming. The dessert flavours mix with malted caramel, which lend a creamy, mellow mouth feel. The vanilla here is bursting with sweetness and a hint of oak wood. The finish wrap up with refreshingly crisp apples and vanilla.

AnCnoc 18 Year Old

Bottle cost: £88

The nose opens with lots of vanilla and toffee and a crisp tang of citrus fruits. Caramalised orange and dulce de leche swirl together to create a dessert like flavour.

AnCnoc 18 Year Old

Bottle cost: £88

Pronounced ‘a-knock’, this Highland malt has been distilled in the Knockdhu distillery. It was matured in Bourbon barrels, giving it a wonderfully sweet and light flavour profile.

It is packed with floral notes, with apple blossom and heather coming out. There is a lovely citrus tang in the background that really grows on the palate.

Honey and orchard fruits are especially present in this dram, and give it a smooth mouth feel. The finish is warming and sweet, with more floral notes and hints of pepper.

Glenmorangie Original

Bottle cost: £29.95

A legendary Highland malt from the Speyside region, the Glenmorangie Original is the core of the Glenmorangie range.

The nose opens with nectarines, apricots and oranges. There is an essence of white sugar, with a lovely toasted warmth to it. The palate is sweet, with vanilla sponge and raspberry jam and whipped cream. There is a delicate fruity flavour, with summer fruits and apples and pears.

The fruit brings in a great tang that really bounces off sweet, sugary notes from the nose. The finish is packed with vanilla and crisp apples.

BenRiach 10 Year Old

Bottle cost: £36.43

Matured in ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry casks, this Highland malt is packed with fruit.

The nose open with crispy apples, bananas, pears and pineapples. These are bright and fresh, like they have just been picked. They wash over the palate, with an added dash of malted grains and vanilla oak. The oak is rich and elegant, with a lovely warmth to it.

It also brings in a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg spices. The finish is zesty, with a dash of lemon and vanilla.

Glengoyne 12 Year Old

Bottle cost: £36.43

An unpeated Highland malt, this Glengoyne 12 Year Old opens with malted barley and oak wood. These go perfectly together, with a lovely vanilla and honey note giving them a sweet edge.

The honey lends a smooth mouth feel to the palate, which is packed with cinnamon, nutmeg, pears, apples and blossom notes.

The oak from the barrel comes in with more of a vanilla sweetness and a slight toasted warmth. It finishes with more honey and a delicate hint of citrus.

What are your thoughts? Leave a comment below and let’s have a chat!

Tags: AnCnocAuchentoshanBenRiachglengoyneGlenmorangieLighter Whiskiesspring

Greg

My name is Greg, and I’m a brand strategy consultant, writer, speaker, host and judge specialising in premium spirits. My mission is to experience, share and inspire with everything great about whisky, whiskey, gin, beer and fine dining through my writing, my brand building and my whisky tastings.