Brave New Spirits The High Priest (Orkney) & Brave New Spirits Mutiny on the Wyre Majestic (Bunnahabhain)

Brave New Spirits The High Priest (Orkney)

Region: Highlands

ABV: 52.6%

Price: £70.00 

This small batch release which is most likely Highland Park is a marriage of 8yo spirit that was finished in first fill Bordeaux Wine Barriques. 1,263 bottles were released.

Nose

On the nose, this whisky offers strawberry ice cream and cotton candy, with a slight spice from crystallized ginger and pumpkin. Upon revisiting, there are notes of plasticine, dry earth, a bit of charred wood, yeastiness, and cherry bitters. Additional aromas include vanilla essence, brown sugar, orange peel, and a touch of honey. It's pleasant overall, but there are not as many red fruit or other notes typically expected from a wine cask finish.

Palate

The palate is quite spicy and hot, featuring strong notes of raw ginger and paprika. Behind that there's an intense sweetness from caramel sauce and burnt brown sugar. A slight freshness comes through as it sits on the tongue, with hints of lemon zest and salt. It’s got a good mouthfeel, and a medium-length finish, with the spice persisting on the tongue. I Revisiting, additional flavours of chocolate orange and more red fruits emerge on the palate.

Nose (with water)

Adding water to the nose brings out notes of play-doh and a sweetness reminiscent of icing sugar and vanilla, although overall the nose has been somewhat muted by the water. Going back there's a note of apple cider vinegar, with a hint of red fruits and fudge. Most of the spicier notes have dissipated.

Palate (with water)

With water, the taste becomes slightly less spicy, introducing a bitterness akin to grapefruit. There’s sweetness from sugar syrup. The overall profile becomes slightly drier, and there’s something reminding us of wet cardboard. Apple cider vinegar, heather, and honey have become the dominant flavours.

Conclusion

We're not detecting much in the way of red fruits, either with or without water, and it seems like something isn't quite right when water is added. Additionally, the dram remains quite spicy regardless of water addition. Overall, this isn't a dram that excites us.

Score: 6/10

Value

While it's not our favourite whisky, we can appreciate that it's reasonably priced for today's market.

Brave New Spirits Mutiny on the Wyre Majestic (Bunnahabhain)

Region: Islay

ABV: 56.8%

Price: £70.00

This single cask release of 10yo peated spirit was distilled December 2011 and matured in a 2nd fill bourbon barrel. 231 bottles were released.

Nose

On the nose, this whisky presents notes of dry earth, BBQ smoke, smoked wood chips, and bacon crisps. There are also notes of dry unvarnished wood, and pistachios, accompanied by a sweetness reminiscent of granulated sugar and vanilla pods. While there isn't any prominent spice, a hint of black pepper can be noticed if we look for it. Additional notes include dry roasted peanuts, lemon juice, grease, fudge, tar, hessian cloth, and sea spray.

Palate

The palate mirrors the nose, presenting a quite pleasant profile that isn't overly spicy, with just a hint of black pepper. The sweetness is pronounced, dominated by vanilla sweetness reminiscent of vanilla buttercream. Additional notes include rice crackers, peanuts, simple syrup, and lime juice. The mouthfeel is good, though it lacks the oiliness some Islay whiskies possess. The finish is medium in length, but the smoke dissipates quickly—not an intense, lingering smoke like some from Bunnahabhain, but rather a more earthy, ashy quality that fades swiftly. The sweetener notes linger.

Nose (with water)

Adding water to the nose enhances the bonfire smoke and reduces the dry earthy notes. The nutty elements are less pronounced, making room for aromas of salted crisps, cream soda, and butter. Water has also brought more of a distinctively Bunnahabhain character to the forefront.

Palate (with water)

Adding water to the palate really opens up the dram, reducing the spice and enhancing the sweet notes, especially the cream soda flavour. The bonfire smoke becomes more prominent, while the earthy and dry characteristics are subdued, replaced by a sweeter, smokier profile reminiscent of a well-crafted BBQ sauce. The mouthfeel remains pleasing, and the finish is a good length, with smoke lingering on the tongue. There's now a slight bitterness from dark chocolate and orange rind. The nutty cashew flavour persists, though now with a burnt quality.

Conclusion

We quite enjoyed this versatile dram. Without water, it offers a more dry, earthy taste, while adding water transforms it into a sweeter, smoky experience. A few nitpicks such as the medium finish drag down its overall score, but it’s still an easy 7.5/10.

Score: 7.5/10

Value

Good whisky, but it’s definitely on the pricier side of things.

• 10 - Perfection. One in a million
• 9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
• 8 - Great. Would seek this out.
• 7 - Good. Quality whisky.
• 6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
• 5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
• 4 - Below average. Passable.
• 3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
• 2 - Defective. Significant faults.
• 1 - Offensive. Pour it out.

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