Strathearn Small Batch – Hand Crafted 3 Years Old 2016

This Strathearn single malt, a Small Batch - Hand Crafted bottling, a 3 year old release distilled in 2016, from cask Batch 001 and bottled at 46.6%. Set in a farm steading near Crieff, Strathearn has distilled since 2013. Every batch is its own experiment, double or triple distilled, peated or unpeated.

It was worked slowly through two of the smallest stills in Scotch, for an intense, fruity, hand crafted spirit. A small sherry cask drove a quick, rich dried fruit character. At a youthful age the new make character shines, lifted by active small wood. Small casks and an oily young make let the cask speak early and clearly. It sits in deepest Perthshire, between Crieff and the whisky town of Perth. Maris Otter barley and a very long ferment give the distillers plenty to work with. Strathearn is probably Scotland's smallest distillery, making about a barrel of spirit a day.

At 46.6% it is smooth and fruity. The European oak and Oloroso bring dried fruit, fig and a spiced depth over the oily spirit. Soft fruit and a flinty mineral note sit behind the oak. The close is warm, fruit over active oak. This is a vibrant young malt from the new wave of distilling.