Albannach

Albannach

66 Trafalgar Square

London WC2N 5DS

020 7930 0066

www.albannach.co.uk

Disaster Doc and Intrepid Traveler's first stop on the CA Scotch Couple's whirlwind tour of London was Albannach, a hip and happenin' cocktail bar with an kick-@*^ whisky menu. The place is laid out with couches and small tables in conversation groups, and it gets really busy, so reservations are recommended. The wait staff was polite and attentive.

Disaster Doc has had prior whisky experiences as part of the CA Scotch Couple's Conference Scotch Sessions. His favorite whisky so far has been the Glenlivet 18. This was Intrepid Traveler's first whisky experience, so the goal was to provide Intrepid Traveler with a gentle introduction to the world of whisky and to cast around for other whiskys Disaster Doc might like. The CA Scotch Couple chose a mix of new to them single malts and novice friendly drams for the group to taste. The tasting round included: Glenfiddich 21 year old Gran Reserva, the Glenlivet French Oak Finish 12, Bruichladdich 15, and Springbank 15. The ever efficient wait staff also provided a small decanter of water. 

The drams were passed around first neat and then with a small drop of water. Disaster Doc and Intrepid Traveler seemed to like the Bruichladdich 15 the best. It had a lemon/citrus palate with some gingerbread and vanilla and just a touch of pepper in the finish. There was some bitterness in the palate, and while the water eliminated this, it brought out more of a tang in the finish.

The Glenfiddich 21 Gran Reserva was CA Scotch Chick's favorite of the night. It had a wonderfully treacly body with sweet orange peel on the palate and a short, sweet and easy finish. The water opened up the orange peel and brought out more fruit but it also elicited some bitterness.

The Glenlivet French Oak Finish 12 was a pleasant enough dram with mostly wine on the palate, a little fruit and just a hint of vanilla and butterscotch. The water changed the flavor very little.

The CA Scotch Couple's old friend Springbank 15 kind of let them down that night. There was none of the marshmallow and chocolate overtures that they love so much. Instead it leaned more toward a malty flavor. While it wasn't bad, it wasn't the dram CA Scotch Couple knew, loved, and wanted to share.

Over all the tasting session was a great start to a wonderful evening. Albannach was an excellent place to further a whisky education. 

Below please find CA Scotch Chick's tasting notes on Glenfiddich 21 Gran Reserva, the Glenlivet French Oak Finish 12, and Bruichladdich 15.