Fragrant Drops North British 2008 Cask #428611 & Fragrant Drops Ardmore 2009 Cask #9008829

Fragrant Drops North British 2008 Cask #428611

Region: Lowlands

ABV: 58.2%

Price: £69.95

This bottling was distilled on 1st December 2008 and fully matured in a red wine barrique until it was bottled on 25th September 2024. A total of 259 bottles were released.

Nose

The nose opens with grape must, raspberry jam, a little soft sponge cake, sweetened dough, flat peaches and a little bit of cinnamon in the background. The red wine cask has done a lot of heavy lifting here, but in an integrated, balanced way. We don't get too much grain spirit, especially given the age, and we're finding dried rose petals, margarine, honey butter and a hint of lemon too. The alcohol feels a tad punchy but there's enough coming out of the glass to keep this in check.

Palate

The palate bursts open with red fruits, fizzy strawberry laces, lemon juice, buttered toast, moving into more of a hazelnut chocolate liqueur. We're also finding honey nut cheerios and black pepper spice. Similar to the nose, the alcohol is perhaps a tad too much, it's got a real kick to it. The mouthfeel is good, it's thick and syrupy, and the finish lingers for a good while with mostly vanilla pods, dark chocolate and clove spice. Time and air brings out some marzipan and more hazelnut.

Nose (with water)

Reduction on the nose brings out more of the citrus aromas, alongside being a bit stronger on the vanilla and chocolate, reminding us a little of marble cake. There's also an earthier quality that has emerged, wetted soil, and some softer orchard fruits in the background. Less wine forward, still very sweet and sticky.

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate follows in the same vein as the reduced nose with more upfront citrus, then moving into lots of vanilla, much more of the grain spirit is coming through for us now. Buttery pastries, a little milk chocolate and some light fudge too. The alcohol has mellowed a bit but it's still fairly prominent.

Conclusion

Younger grains can be a bit of a risk, however Fragrant Drops always seem to find top quality grain whisky and this is no different. The full maturation in red wine really gives this dram a unique profile, working really quite well with the grain spirit profile. It's a bit hot, but we can forgive this. Cracking dram. 

Score: 8/10

Value

As expected, another well priced released from Fragrant Drops. 

Fragrant Drops Ardmore 2009 Cask #9008829

Region: Highlands

ABV: 61.6%

Price: £90.00 

This bottling was distilled on 10th December 2009 and initially matured in a refill barrel. It then underwent a 2.5-year finishing period in a virgin oak barrel before being bottled on 26th September 2024. A total of 201 bottles were released. 

Nose

The nose opens with fish oil capsules, log fire smoke, wet oak staves, roasted chilis, alongside a little ash and tar. It's fairly cask driven, lots of oak spice coming through, rye bread, brown sugar, burnt caramel, and a handful of roasted nuts. The alcohol is front and centre, but it melds quite well with the other aromas to boost them rather than overtake. 

Palate

The palate opens with some charred lemon and lots of bourbon barrel sweetness, brown sugar, honey, candied walnuts, caramel and vanilla essence. Behind this, we're finding chili spice and a light, earthy smoke, a little hay, and maybe a hint of blackcurrant too. It's quite warming, the alcohol is a bit out of balance for us, however it's definitely drinkable at the cask strength. The mouthfeel is great, sweet and syrupy, with some pink peppercorns and slightly over-toasted croissants coming through on the good length finish.

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose brings out a combination of dry earth and vanilla sweetness, alongside a bit of maritime fishiness. The smoke feels more prominent now, but it's also sweeter than before. Some of that spice has mellowed, and actually it's more enjoyable with a few drops of water for us.

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate maintains the syrupy mouthfeel, and brings forward more savoury, earthy, herbal flavours alongside freshly ground black pepper and torched mackerel. There's lots of vanilla sweetness that sits behind this too, alongside some rye flavours that are coming to the forefront. 

Conclusion

It's a big, bold, barrel driven dram. The Ardmore smoke is there but it's overshadowed a little (although it does integrate well). It's enjoyable, however the alcohol balance can be challenging at times, and it's not one we could see ourselves sipping all night. Good quality wood though, one for those who want a bit of smoke alongside the strong wood flavours and aromas.

Score: 7/10

Value

This is in line with the price other bottlers are charging.

• 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.