The English Virgin Oak 46% ABV.

Virgin oak is not often used in the world of whisky making but we think it should be.  A virgin cask add vanilla notes and creates a quite unique whisky. A bit of a favourite amongst the team at the distillery.

The English Whisky Company

Appearance

This dram is a shade deeper than mid gold, has a decently thick swirl line and very slow thick legs. #thewhiskeychaps

Nose

Royal icing literally coats this like a sponge cake, there’s a fair amount of wood coming through too. I’m definitely getting the distillery dna aromas also, quite sweet in general, there are cereals here with it. #thewhiskeychaps

That sweetness is impressive, i like sweet whisky tbh. There are light wood wax notes, stoned fruits too. #thewhiskeychaps

There’s a perfume note also, with dustiness, and it’s a little foresty, quite a mix, i’m going in for a taste. #thewhiskeychaps

#thewhiskeychaps This dram is one i think sits well on those Autumn nights.. As the darkness draws in, this dram just seems to come alive

— Sorren (@ocdwhisky) October 14, 2021

Palate

Nice mouthfeel, and it’s a real sweet and spicy dram isn’t it, the palate is quite spicy, i didn’t expect that. #thewhiskeychaps. Pineapples, guava, mango, apricots and icing sugar.

Slowly it develops into spiciness, ginger nut biscuits, cinnamon, cardamom, chocolate orange and sweetened espresso coffee.

#thewhiskeychaps The palate is delicious.. The spices are the strength within this whilst the fruits softly dance

— Sorren (@ocdwhisky) October 14, 2021

Finish

Medium in length, though the spices do linger a little longer, and that foresty feel is back. Black pepper, high cocoa content dark chocolate, juniper, dried twigs, and muesli.

My thoughts

I rather enjoyed this dram, and for me it feels higher than 46% ABV. The cask has been monitored well and disgorged at the right time, the Virgin oak has done it’s job perfectly, and it’s not been left too long. There’s plenty of spice here without it being a spice bomb, there’s warmth too, an ideal dram for a cool evening, and i’d gladly have one in my whisky cupboard.

Notes – This whisky is non chill filtered and natural in colour.

Thanks to – Sorren/ @ocdwhisky, for sending us samples, and giving his time to join us for the tasting.