Jim McEwan Signature Collection 5.2, Port Charlotte 2009 12 years old

Jim McEwan Signature Collection 5.2, Port Charlotte 2009 12 years old

Distilled on 28th April 2009 this whisky spent its whole 13-year life maturing in cask #1440. This maturation took place in a 1st fill bourbon cask from the Clear Springs Distillery. Home of iconic bourbons owned by the famous Buffalo Trace their bourbon number many including Black Ridge, Stone Hammer, Two Stars and Wolcott Kentucky Straight.  We have no indication of the bourbon this previously held but the Buffalo Trace cask policy is one that never wavers from quality!

Bottled in July 2022 as Release 5.2 of the Jim McEwan Signature Collection, like all bottlings within the collection, it was bottled un-chill filtered, with no added colour, and at natural cask strength of 62.9% (as we always say, Jim would have it no other way!), it yielded only 197 bottles.

Tasting notes from Jim McEwan;

Colour - Brilliant warm honey/ Golden Hue

Aromas & Flavours - It has that trademark Islay aroma that brings together the smoke, the oak, the marine overture and the traditional skills as they were in 1881. Matured next to the Atlantic Ocean which plays a massive part in bringing the character to the spirit.

I recommend adding a drop of water and you will discover a host of aromatics including a smooth spicy overture from the bourbons time in the cask.

Taste - At this age it’s in its prime. Strong in character, which is 100% Islay, which translates initially into smoke & oak then by mid palate the sweetness of the malt extract arrives as does little hints of lemon & honey. It’s a beautiful Hebridean taste experience!

The maturation by the Ocean is the key to what gives this spirit character that is unique just as it does for my fellow Islanders. The flavours of peated malt, the sweetness of oak and the influence of the traditional distilling in a time honoured was make this spirit just a little bit special.