2,975 Founder’s Club members are on a journey of maturation and discovery. Receiving 10 exclusive whiskies over 10 years – each drawn from the earliest casks produced at the distillery – they have a unique opportunity to experience how the character and flavour of The Lakes Spirit is evolving over time.
These were tasted as part of our Whiskey chaps Founders tasting of bottles 1-6 yrs of age, and the Whiskymaker #4 with @GentlemanGrimm from Twitter and Instagram, who very kindly gifted us the samples.
Founders bottle 1 yr old 40 % ABV
Appearance
Obviously this is really light in colour, but definitely detectable, it has a pretty thick swirl line too, with medium to thick slow legs. #thewhiskeychaps
Nose
Vanilla custard with a slight botanical feel, obviously the New Make Spirit is going to be strong but that cask has already done quite a bit of work hasn’t it.#thewhiskeychaps
I’m definitely getting grains, cereals and biscuits, and quite floral, though the NMS fruitiness is in here. #thewhiskeychaps
— Dram it Mick! (@StillSurreal) January 13, 2022
Palate
Now that’s interesting, I got lemonade there, it’s almost Smokey too, chocolate at this age, red berries, tropical fruits #thewhiskeychaps
Definitely, though I love that in bourbon casks. Shall we move onto the 2yr old? #thewhiskeychaps
— Dram it Mick! (@StillSurreal) January 13, 2022
Finish
Quite punchy, plenty of oak, mocha, grapefruit, pineapple, a touch of chilli and cough candy. Overall quite a young spirit. #thewhiskeychaps
My thoughts
Having no personal experience with the crafting of whisk(e)y, this tasting was very much about learning something, to see what happens with a maturing spirit over time.
Though this spirit didn’t take on much colour wise in the first year it did take on plenty of flavour, and to be honest it’s quite impressive. I found much more than i expected. The New make spirit flavours are still discernible, and the cask influence also, bringing in definite bitter notes to the late palate and finish.
Founders Bottle 2 yr old 40% ABV
Appearance
Again very light, but definitely another detectable colour shift. The swirl line is syrupy thick, as are the legs. #thewhiskeychaps
Nose
Quite a bit more wood for an extra year, the smokiness has gone and now I’m getting a menthol aroma, still cereals and grains but more red fruits now. #thewhiskeychaps
Oh yeah, for a 1yo there was a lot of influence #thewhiskeychaps
— Whisk(e)y Chap 🏴🥃 (@whiskeychap) January 13, 2022
Palate
Definitely more citrus sharp now, and also more bitterness too. Seared pineapple chunks and pomelo will describe this for me, lemonade again, then dark chocolate, and at 40% ABV I’d even say syrupy. #thewhiskeychaps
Ooh, on the palate it’s gone up a level in spice. Not heavy spice but there’s a definite increase. After this there’s the citrus, although lighter now, malt biscuits and honey. #thewhiskeychaps
— Whisk(e)y Chap 🏴🥃 (@whiskeychap) January 13, 2022
Finish
Medium long, slowly becoming more bitter, but far from the point of face crunching. Rather nice in all honesty. #thewhiskeychaps
My thoughts
From 1 to 2 years the difference is easily detected. The range of fruits, especially on the palate, has changed, and the bitter notes have deepened for me at this point. The cask influence is so interesting, and though not what i would have guessed it continues to flood the spirit. where will it be in the 3 year old bottle?
A huge thank you goes out to @GentlemanGrimm for these tasting sets, i’m sure i’d never have gotten to taste them otherwise.
Feel free to give @GentlemanGrimm, the Lakes distillery and us on Twitter using the buttons below, thank you
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