When a brand new distillery releases its very first single malt, there is always a mix of anticipation and cautious skepticism. Three years old is the legal minimum for Scotch whisky, and most distilleries at that stage are still finding their feet.
So when a bottle of The Cairn’s debut single malt landed at my door, courtesy of the generous Richard Urquhart himself, I was thrilled but measured in my expectations. After tasting it, I can say without hesitation that this is one of the most impressive young whiskies I have encountered.
For those unfamiliar, The Cairn is the state-of-the-art new distillery built by the Urquhart family, the storied clan behind Gordon & MacPhail and Benromach. This is not a family buying into whisky on a whim. They have generations of expertise in maturation and cask selection, and that pedigree is evident from the very first sip.
Bottled at 57% ABV, natural colour, and un-chill filtered, this release is limited to just 1,000 bottles worldwide. I am likely one of only two or three people in all of Canada with one, and I do not take that lightly.
On the nose, this whisky punches well above its age. There is no harshness, no raw spirit bite that you might expect from something so young at cask strength. Instead, it opens with gorgeous apple notes, fresh red fruit, a touch of oatmeal, and a surprising tangerine brightness.
On the palate, the viscosity is remarkable. Beautiful oranges and light berry fruits mingle with a bready, malty character that carries from start to finish. It drinks nothing like a three-year-old whisky, and it certainly does not nose like 57%.
My best guess on the cask composition is a combination of bourbon and sherry, and whatever the team at The Cairn selected, they nailed it. This is a very traditional Speyside style with no peat, clean and fruity and wonderfully balanced.
Now, I will be transparent. It is hard for me to claim I am completely unbiased here. I love the Urquharts. I love Gordon & MacPhail. I love Benromach. I love everything this family has done for Scotch whisky.
What excites me most is not just what is in this bottle today, but what it signals for the future. If The Cairn is producing whisky of this quality at the legal minimum age, the ten, fifteen, and twenty-year-old expressions from this distillery could be something truly special.
I cannot wait to visit someday and see the operation firsthand. For now, this “first peek” has me fully convinced that the Urquhart family has built something extraordinary once again.
Have you had a chance to try any of The Cairn’s releases yet? I would love to hear your thoughts and how you think this distillery will develop over the coming years.
To see my full tasting, watch my YouTube video.
Read the full article at The Cairn’s First Single Malt Left Me Genuinely Stunned at 3 Years Old
