Cadenheads Miltonduff-Glenlivet 14yo Authentic Collection October 2024 & Cadenheads Knockdhu 11yo Authentic Collection October 2024

Cadenheads Miltonduff-Glenlivet 14yo Authentic Collection October 2024

Region: Speyside

ABV: 54.3%

Price: £70.00

This 14yo release has been maturing in a PX hogshead since 2020. 210 bottles were released.

Nose

Initially, the nose is a bit tight, with fresh pine and menthol that give it a bourbon-like character, followed by gingerbread, red berries, raspberry, cranberry, and fudge emerging with patience. Upon revisiting, additional notes of prunes, caramel sauce, and cola cubes appear. It’s another dram that doesn’t nose its ABV.

Palate

On the palate, notes of strawberries, dark chocolate, brown sugar, and ginger are prominent, with plenty of that bourbon-like menthol, much like the nose. Blind tasting might have left us a bit puzzled at first as to what this is. It’s less juicy than the nose suggests. The finish sees the sweetness fade quickly, leaving behind cinnamon and turmeric spice. The mouthfeel is good throughout.

Nose (with water)

With water, the nose is similar but water brings out more red fruit sweetness, treacle, light caramel, and golden syrup, with a gentle spice in the background. The menthol notes are less prominent, while dried mixed nuts become more noticeable.

Palate (with water)

With water, the palate becomes less spicy, retaining plenty of sweetness, while the finish increases a little, and the spice no longer overwhelms the other notes as quickly. There’s now also a slight dryness that’s reminiscent of oloroso. The mouthfeel remains unchanged.

Conclusion

Another dram we’d suggest benefits from a few drops of water, and another one for the sherry lovers out there. It’s a touch spicy even when reduced, but has some interesting notes, a good mouthfeel and good finish.

Score: 7/10

Value

Another competitively priced release from Cadenheads.

Cadenheads Knockdhu 11yo Authentic Collection October 2024

Region: Speyside

ABV: 53.2%

Price: £60.00

This 11yo release has been maturing in a Ruby Port Hogshead since 2020. 300 bottles were released.

Nose

On the nose, there are notes of treacle, cherries, freshly burnt newspaper, and a hint of antiseptic. Additional notes appear with patience including black tea, grapefruit, salted caramel, and strawberries, along with ginger and red grapes. Pleasant enough nose, but a touch one dimensional.

Palate

On the palate, there are notes of golden syrup, red wine, strawberry syrup, a touch of ash, cherries, followed by blood orange, apricot, and caramel syrup on the mid palate. The initial sweetness gives way to an intense spicy kick from cinnamon sticks and black pepper, with a hint of cardamom. It has a good, syrupy mouthfeel, with a medium finish where the spicy notes outlast the sweetness.

Nose (with water)

With water, the nose opens with notes of butterscotch ice cream, lemon peel, fudge, and Schloer. The wine influence is more prominent at first, but savoury notes, reminiscent of peanuts, gradually begin to overtake the fruity elements.

Palate (with water)

With water, the palate remains mostly unchanged but gains a richer, more buttery texture, with notes of limeade and a hint of bitter grapefruit on the finish, accompanied by a touch more spice. Personally, we’d skip adding water. The slight changes to the diluted palate and the reduction of fruit on the nose make us prefer this neat.

Conclusion

t’s not terrible—there are some pleasant notes here—but the finish is shorter than we’d like, and the spice is a bit too much for our taste.

Score: 6.5/10

Value

It’s not our favourite dram from the outturn, but we can’t complain about the price.

• 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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