Whisky is one of the most versatile spirits on the market with an endless combination of notes, there is always something that embraces the changing of the seasons. As summer slowly draws to a close and the crisp autumn air approaches, whisky enthusiasts tend to gear towards flavour profiles with a little bit of warmth in them — something reminiscent of bonfires, seasonal delights and the woods.
The beauty of flavour profiles in whiskey is the ability to evoke a feeling of warmth and nostalgia through its various notes while still maintaining its distinct full-bodied malt flavour that many know and love. That being said, many autumnal flavours come in the form of food ingredients that are typically associated with colder months. Warm spicy notes such as cinnamon and nutmeg or fruitier notes like apples and pears allude to warm autumn dishes, typically enjoyed during the fall. Autumnal flavours may also come through in peaty or smokey flavours to evoke find memories of a fall campfire. LUXUO has gathered the top eight whiskies to savour during the fall months, full of warming autumnal flavours and undeniably decadent.
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The Macallan TIME:SPACE Mastery
In celebration of The Macallan’s 200th anniversary, the world renowned distillery has just released their most extravagant spirit yet. The Macallan TIME:SPACE Mastery is one of two limited edition releases paying homage to the long-standing whisky mastery by featuring 14 exceptional cask types that creates layers of complexity with an incredible depth of aroma, texture and flavour. The coveted TIME:SPACE Mastery boasts distinct influences from European Oak sherry seasoned casks, American Oak sherry seasoned casks, American Oak Bourbon casks and the finest refill casks. With that, these maturation processes creates layers of complexity and a voluptuous depth in aroma, flavour and texture, a perfect investment whiskey and ideal companion on a crisp fall night.
Singleton Golden Autumn Orchard
As the name suggests, the Singleton Golden Autumn Orchard is perfectly suited to sip during the fall time, with indulgent sweet notes reminiscent of warming fall desserts. The edible notes were inspired by fruits of orchard harvest with notes like apples and poached pears. The palette has brought more warmth and comfort with other sweet notes with hints of vanilla and butterscotch for a more full-bodied flavour profile. The single malt spirit has also been Double Oak Matured in ex-Bourbon and American White Oak casks to evoke season richness and to captivate ones taste buds and olfactory senses.
“The Golden Autumn Orchard certainly directly references autumn time, with the colour and woody, spicy notes evoking that particular time of year. I would add that the character of Exotic Spice Grove is arguably quite autumnal too, with lots of rich, spicy notes and a great deal of vibrant woodiness,” Craig Wilson, master blender tells LUXUO.
The Glendronach 18 Year Old
The Glendronach 18 Year Old is ideal for a autumn night cap, with a rich flavour profile that is full-bodied, complex and dark. The spectacular sherried single malt is non chill filtered, of natural colour and matured in the finest Spanish Oloroso sherry casks to add a subtle sweetness to the multi-dimensional flavour profile. The nose opens with sweet scents of fudge, Muscovado sugar, fruit compote and glacier morello cherries. The palette is ultimately well-rounded with decadent notes of stewed fruits and all-spice balanced with toasted walnut bread, chocolate orange and aged Oloroso sherry to add more depth. The Glendronach 18 Year Old is exquisitely made and perfectly indulgent for autumn sipping, but is also a highly sought-after bottle due to its characteristics in being non chill filtered and natural colour which is a rare sight these days.
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Glenfiddich Orchard Experimental Series
Scottish distillery Glenfiddich is the most awarded single malt in the world and is best known for their innovative approach when it comes to formulating creative flavour profiles with outstanding quality. The Glenfiddich Orchard Experimental Series is no exception. This experimental series came as a result of Glenfiddich’s malt master Brian Kinsman’s visit to the Somerset Cider Brandy Co. to meet with distiller Matilda Temperley. The two experts envisioned a spirit is packed full of autumnal flavours that combine influences of Scotland and Somerset, with the malt maturing in in casks that previously held Somerset Pomona Spirit, a blend of apple cider and apple juice. The Glenfiddich Orchard Experimental Series boasts fresh notes of apple, pear, lemon and orange peel along with warmer indulgent notes of vanilla, toffee and nutmeg. The flavour profile is further enhanced with the finishing notes of apple cider, gentle oak spice and creamy barley to being back the signature rich and hearty taste of Glenfiddich whisky.
Laphroaig 10 Year Old Sherry Oak Finish
Laphroaig is best known of their expertise in producing whiskies with multidimensional flavour profiles that have outstanding smoky flavours yet surprisingly sweet. The Laphroaig 10 Year Old with the Sherry Oak Finish is undeniably memorable packed full of warming edible notes like Manuka honey, smoked bacon toffee, maple and chestnut honey to bring sweetness to the palette. These sweet notes are balanced and complimented by the Sherry Oak finish that enhances with bitter notes like dark chocolate, leather, pine tar and rich peat smoke to achieve Laphroaig’s classic smokey flavour.
Glenmorangie 10 Year Old
The Glenmorangie 10 Year Old is the perfect companion for a cool autumn evening. The malt is matured in a combination of first-and-second-fill American white oak casks for 10 years, to achieve an expression for a creamy, approachable single malt. The flavour profile is exceptionally well-balanced, with a variety of fresh fruity notes yet pleasantly warm and indulgent. Olfactory senses are captivated with refreshing notes of lemon, nectarine and apple, which is balanced with warm notes of spices. The palette is full-bodied and decadent with creamy dessert flavours like boiled sweets, vanilla, tiramisu and toffee.
Shunka Shuto Autumn Fall Edition
Skillfully crafted in the Nirasaki Distillery in Japan, the Shunka Shuto Autumn Fall Edition pays homage to the “gentle autumns of the Land of the Rising Sun”. Japan during the falls months are typically gentle, with cool and crisp weather, just like the Shunka Shuto Autumn expression which is aged in white oak with a gentle sweetness to it. The stunning golden tints of autumn in Japan is replicated with fruity and citrusy notes of apple and lemon, a refreshing and light addition to a spirit that is ultimately rich and smokey. The essence of autumn is further enhanced with warm spices, evoking cosy memories with delicious notes of caramel toasted oak and spices. Shunka Shuto Autumn Fall Edition while it is well-priced, the seasonal nature makes this bottle high exclusive and rare.
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The Glenrothes 18 Year Old
The Glenrothes 18 Year Old is apart of the brand’s highly-coveted core collection, matured delicately to achieve a richly well-rounded flavour that is equally as pleasant as it is unexpected. The nose of this sprit packs a strong punch yet beautifully balanced with an intense scent of a symphony of fresh fruity notes like fresh pears and a touch of orange. The flavour profile is exceptionally indulgent with desert notes including marzipan and sweet vanilla ice cream, which is balanced out by slightly bitter notes of dark chocolate, coffee, ginger and pepper. The Glenrothes 18 Year Old is the best of both worlds with a fruity nose and a multi-dimensional flavour profile.
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