James Eadie Cambus 26

Whisky: James Eadie Cambus 26

Region: Lowlands

ABV: 55.4%

Price: £90

Sherry and grain, what could go wrong?

Nose

Bitter chocolate, slight sulphur, huge sherry notes, tree bark, walnut, chilli, marzipan, almost petrol.

Palate

Even more chilli notes, lacks the sweetness I’d expect from a grain of this age, bitter roasted coffee beans, quite viscous and mouth coating, cardamom, charred wood, pepper dancing on the tongue, but the finish disappears quicker than I’d like.

Nose (with water)

Rich sherry notes come through more, with sultanas, maple syrup and kinder bueno.

Palate (with water)

Christmas fruit cake without the icing, warm spices of cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon.

Conclusion

The grain is totally overshadowed by the sherry cask, you wouldn’t even be able to tell it’s not malt because the whisky doesn’t really appear at all. The sherry is nice, but the balance is a bit off for my taste. This was purchased after trying and loving the 24yo Cambus released previously, but this is a far cry from that.

Score: 6/10

• 10 - Perfection. A whisky that we’ll remember forever.
• 9 - Amazing. We’d pay through the nose for a bottle.
• 8 - Great. Pick this up at RRP.
• 7 - Good. Happy to have a dram or two but wouldn’t buy a bottle.
• 6 - Passable. Would accept a dram, but wouldn’t seek it out.
• 5 - Poor. Would drink if it was the only option.
• 4 - Bad. Maybe it can be saved by ginger beer?
• 3 - Awful. It can't be saved by ginger beer.
• 2 - Pour it out
• 1 - We’ve never tried a whisky rated this low and hopefully never will.

Have you tried James Eadie Cambus 26? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

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