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Jon, Mark and Robbo's
The Smoky, Peaty One
Vatted Malt Whisky
40% abv
£17.50
$29(USD)
A good malt to follow yesterday's Peat Monster post.
The last of the Easy Drinking Whisky Co. releases that I have not yet had in this Malt Mission, this breakfast malt blog, what a friend yesterday called 'Dr. Whisky's Casebook'. And now that Jon, Mark and Robbo are officially done in all markets save the US (as I reported in Malt Mission 76 and on The Scotch Blog), I can say with some certainty that it will be the last JMR product to appear in these pages.
Boo hoo indeed. And I mean it. I was defending their stuff over a dram of Rich Spicy at the Rake in Borough Market just two nights ago in front of three lovely but opinionated whisky industry folks.
For other JMR info, please see past posts...(HERE)
To achieve the smoky peaty effect, this bottling includes Islay malts Caol Ila, Bunnahabhain and Laphroaig, Ledaig(leh-chek) from Mull, and Highland Park from Orkney.
TASTING NOTES:
Some maple, sour milk, raisin bran, bag of mixed nuts and dried fruits. Lots of rich maltiness with some peat, but not very smoky.
Soft, with some sherry toastiness, late development of a tiny touch of smoke and more peat, but extremely well integrated; really more like the background music to the rich malt and Spanish oak. Again peat taste, but not very much smoke.
SUMMARY:
Good Gord that is drinkable stuff. So gentle while holding a lot of rich characteristics. Nothing out of place, except prehaps for a bit of 'fun'. Safe, satisfying whisky at a great price. Too bad finding it is only going to get more and more difficult...
Malt Mission #86
Malt Mission #87
Malt Mission #89
Malt Mission #90
Malt Mission HOME
Jon, Mark and Robbo's
The Rich, Spicy One(Vatted Malt Whisky)
40% abv
£15 pounds(50cl)
$28.99[75cl(USD)]Dave "Robbo" Robertson was the man who was responsible for creating the whiskies in the JMR line, and the challenge to develop the Rich Spicy One was certainly a match played on his home turf. Let me quickly explain.
Robbo was born at Royal Brackla distillery where his father (Ricky Robertson) was assistant manager. He grew up breathing in the angel's share at Glenlossie, Aberfeldy and Glendullan distilleries. He studied brewing and distilling in Edinburgh and took a highly prized seat, becoming manager at Macallan in 1994, the youngest in the distillery's history(he was 26). He became Master Distiller in 1996 and eventually Global Marketing Manager and brand ambassador. Quite a climb. Obviously a talented whisky guru.
One of his favorite jobs at Macallan, and one he is certainly a master at, was 'creating' whiskies. He developed a series of replicas, bottling to recreate styles by decade(see tomorrow), and the famous Gran Reserva 1979. And that credibility and skill is what he brought to JMR, and particularly the Rich Spicy One.
All Jon, Mark and Robbo had on the mission can be viewed HERE.
TASTING NOTES:
Velvety effect in the nose, so creamy and... low down, if you get what i mean; I can smell it in my teeth. Strong sherry influences. Raisins and dried apples, nutty, and VERY inviting. Toffee and rich melted milk chocolate. A slight citrus presence, like the peels, not the pulp, and when I stick my nose in catching the vapours off the sides of the glass, it is a touch waxy, or even soapy.
I love the way this stuff FEELS in the mouth. Syrupy and chewy. Must be even more so right out of the freezer (taboo? not to these guys). Sweet and spicy. Buttered toast. Cloves and cinnamon. Sherry flavours without any of the oakiness... weird, but good! Develops into a nice nutty finish that fades softly.
SUMMARY:
Makes an impression that is both, um, rich and spicy. Feels so amazing on the tongue and the coconut oil effect lasts, leaving your mouth feeling coated in flavour. Lots of sherry casks, for sure (contains Highland Park, Bunnahabhain,Tamdhu and Glenrothes). An obvious Macallan influence, with similar richness at a much more friendly price. How? Who cares... THANK YOU!
Whenever we have had this stuff about the flat, it has vanished VERY quickly. I blame Kristin, but understand how one serving would NEVER be enough.
Malt Mission #6
Malt Mission #7
Malt Mission #9
Malt Mission #10
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Jon, Mark and Robbo's
