Filey Bay IPA Finish Batch #2 & That Boutique-y Whisky Company Circumstance 3 Year Old Batch 2

Filey Bay IPA Finish Batch #2

Region: England

ABV: 46.0%

Price: £65.00

Matured first in ex bourbon casks, then finished in ex IPA casks in collaboration with sister company Wold Top Brewery. Batch #2 was released in September 2023, using Scarborough Fair IPA beer casks. The whisky was around five to five and a half years old before a further finish of roughly six months.

Nose

The nose opens with mushy apple, almond essence, simple white bread, pears, and quite a bit of younger yeasty spirit. Knowing it’s an IPA cask, there’s a bit of hoppiness appearing, but that could just be suggestive. We’re also finding pencil shavings and gummy sweets.. the fried egg haribos specially - slightly milky, with some artificial sugars. Not too much alcohol coming through, a little prickle of ginger right in the background. 

Palate

The palate opens with fizzy apple and pear flavours, very confectionery like, really quite tingly with a bit more alcohol spice moving into the finish. We’re also getting lemon water, prickly pear, white pepper, and effervescent Albariño wine. It’s really quite fizzy - not alcoholic, not acidic, just weirdly fizzy. There’s also some breadiness, and something a little grassy in the background. The mouthfeel is fine, not thick but not overly watery. Alongside these flavours there’s also some simple vanillas and white sugars. 

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose has darker sugars, still light overall though. Candied apples, pear juice, grape must and some melon too. Fruity and sweet, not much else. 

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate loses mouthfeel and texture, but comes through with a host of citrus, sweetness, a little fudge and lots of orchard fruits. There’s a bit of maltiness in the background but that IPA cask is still quite hidden for us. 

Conclusion

Lots of orchard fruits, simple sugars, pleasant, but a little simple. Not too much IPA cask influence for us, a little on the nose but we’d have guessed bourbon if nosing blind.

Score: 6/10

Value

A little on the pricey side for a whisky of this age that is not cask strength.

That Boutique-y Whisky Company Circumstance 3 Year Old Batch 2

Region: England

ABV: 51.1%

Price: £51.95 (50cl)

A single grain English whisky from Circumstance Distillery, located in Bristol. Produced from a mashbill of 85 percent malted barley and 15 percent unmalted barley, the. matured for three years in fresh medium char European oak cask. Bottled l as part of That Boutique-y Whisky Company’s End of the World series, with an outturn of 237 bottles.

Nose

The nose opens with a big hit of sweet toffee… lots of dark brown sugars, a handful of Cadburys chocolate buttons and almond croissants. There’s a real richness, with some dried currants and digestive biscuits that start to appear with time and air. The alcohol is present but balanced, and there’s a bit of aniseed peeking through. 

Palate

The palate opens with a mixture of red currants, chocolate orange segments and syrupy flavours reminiscent of PX sherry. The mouthfeel doesn’t quite match up to the bold flavours and aromas.. it’s disappointingly thin, however there’s enough here to keep us interested. Going back, we’re getting lots of fresh vanilla pod, caramel logs, and dark chocolate nibs. Quite a decadent dram. 

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose stays along the same lines as the unreduced nose, however slightly more muted and soft. There’s more of a Irn-Bru like aroma now, alongside those toffees and chocolates. 

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate hasn’t changed much, but again, it’s very mellow and softer, and has lost a bit of its personality. Lighter mouthfeel, not much benefit. We’d skip water here. 

Conclusion

We’ve enjoyed the few casks of Circumstance we’ve had so far, and we enjoyed this one, however it’s not without its faults. It’s very cask driven, but the mouthfeel and integration isn’t quite there. It’s still a tasty dram though.

Score: 7/10

Value

Given this is only three year old grain, we’d have preferred a 70cl bottle rather than 50cl.

• 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.

If you like what you’ve read then check out our social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) to get notifications of when we post a new review or just to chat about whisky with us.