The Perfect Storm - Cutty Sark Storm review

Earlier in the week I recieved a sample of the new Cutty Sark Storm. I've really been impressed with the direction the brand has taken since leaving Berry Bros. & Rudd. As a stedfast BNJ fan I've also found that my buying preference switching to the Cutty 12yo.

If you're not aware, over the last year the guys at Edrington have updated the label slightly and slimmed down the core range.  That means there is now only the Storm, 12 and 18 years old. Jason Craig at Cutty stated:

"There will, of course, be other specials and limited releases - such as Tam o' Shanter 25 year old, for example - but the intention is to give the brand greater focus, which is easier to do when there are fewer expersions."

This is a really positive sign and if you haven't tried any of the new releases do give them a go!

Also, if your not familiar with the Cutty Sark Tam o' Shanter see my blog post from January.

Which whiskies from the range has Cutty Sark Storm replaced?

The Storm has replaced both the Cutty Black and Cutty Sark Blended Malt. It's available imminently in a number of international markets including the UK, Greece and Portugal.

Bottled at 40% and chillfiltered, it is vibrant and clean with citrus notes and sweetness. The palate is full, rich & delightful with a light powdering of coal dust. Kirsteen Campbell, Master Blender, was charged with the task of making something deliciously rich, yet in keeping with the rest of the range.

Personally, I think Kirsteen has suceeded and in the process created a great example of what a good Blended Scotch Whisky can be. When curious about the difference from the rest of the range I was told that:

Cutty Sark Storm is made from the same top quality North British grain whisky as Cutty Sark Blend, but Futures a higher malt content percentage. She has used more mature whiskies from Highland Park and The Macallan, among others. As a result the palate in particular is spectacular'

See my tasting notes below.

Tasting Notes

ABV: 40%

Type: Blended Scotch Whisky

Nose:

Pineapple is there from the start and follows with a plethora of tropical fruits. This instantly made me think of an advert for starbursts (see the youtube video below)! After a while in the glass this becomes resinous like furniture polish and big bold notes of blood orange with subtle elements of coal tar come in on the back. 

Palate:

Sweet and mouth coating, from the outset this whisky has a light pepper spice to the sides of the tounge which develops into a mild astrigency. Once the dryness has gone and you start to salivate buttered popcorn and ripe peach come into the back. 

Sweet smouldering tinder and crisp red grape husks follow into the next sip. This is a complex dram, which is easy to enjoy and keeps giving.  

Update on Thu, June 28, 2012 by Darren

PRESS INFORMATION: 28^th June 2012

CUTTY SARK UNLEASHES STORM

Cutty Sark is delighted to announce the launch of Storm, the first permanent addition to the core range since the brand’s acquisition by Edrington in 2010.

A blend of brooding depth and exciting complexity, Cutty Sark Storm has been crafted from older single malts along with grain whiskies Master Blender, Kirsteen Campbell, has used a greater proportion of malts from Scotland’s most celebrated distilleries to create a profoundly rich whisky. Although bolder and deeper, Storm is in keeping with the Cutty Sark philosophy of accessibility and versatility. The tension of Storm lies between the depth of flavour of the older malts and the vibrancy of the fresher grain whisky.

The blend includes aged malts from Highland Park, The Macallan and other renowned distilleries from across Scotland. The top-quality grain whisky comes from Edinburgh’s North British Distillery. Cutty Sark Storm is the latest inspired expression from one of the Top 10 blended Scotch whiskies in the world.

According to Jason R Craig, Cutty Sark Brand Controller; “Full of intriguing, complex flavours, intensity and drama, Cutty Sark Storm is a smouldering whisky; it is like Cutty Sark on steroids. We are confident it will be well-received in the on-trade.”

Cutty Sark Storm, 40% ABV; tasting notes

Appearance:  Bright amber – with a suggestion of hidden depths.

Nose:           Rich and exotic, fudge and tropical fruit – intriguing depth that only comes from aged malts.

Palate:          Sweet, ripe stone fruit, peaches and cream – layers of complexity and attractive velvet-like texture.

Finish:           Gently drying, medium to good length, spicy with undertones of oak – lively yet mature with perfect balance.

Cutty Sark Storm will be available in key markets from summer 2012 at approximately £20.00 per 70cl bottle.