Brave New Spirits Whisky of Voodoo ‘Serpent’s Ember’ Highland Single Malt 11 year old 53.2%
Tasting Note
A vatting of Blair Athol, distilled September 2013 aged in 1st Fill Rum hogshead and Blair Athol, distilled September 2013 aged in 2nd Fill ex-Islay Barrel (Lagavulin).
Btl: Aug 2025
Tasted: Sept 2025
The nose opens with the rummy dried fruit and like the Call of Crows you can sense the weight of the Blair Athol first, although some aromatic barley and citrus does begin to come through. Very, very, very subtle peat smoke and astringent herbal notes show. It’s almost a case of blink and you’ll miss it, but it adds a pleasant edge to the aromas. Late vanilla and pepper.
The palate kicks off with some creamy banana and vanilla, followed by dried apricot, citrus and peat smoke embers. Vibrant and salty middle (a touch more of the Islay casks) with hints of spice and vanilla. Intense and masked finish which makes the mouth water.
Diluted the nose now shows more spirit character as the rum influence is a lot subtler. The Islay notes have virtually disappeared, and I still don’t get any roasted snake notes! The palate is fuller and creamier with more American oak vanillins and more rummy dried fruit, but there’s also some Blair Athol character as well now. Long, drying cereal and spice finish, again no roasted snake!
At a Glance
A vatting of Blair Athol, distilled September 2013 aged in 1st Fill Rum hogshead and Blair Athol, distilled September 2013 aged in 2nd Fill ex-Islay Barrel (Lagavulin).
Btl: Aug 2025
Tasted: Sept 2025
The nose opens with the rummy dried fruit and like the Call of Crows you can sense the weight of the Blair Athol first, although some aromatic barley and citrus does begin to come through. Very, very, very subtle peat smoke and astringent herbal notes show. It’s almost a case of blink and you’ll miss it, but it adds a pleasant edge to the aromas. Late vanilla and pepper.
The palate kicks off with some creamy banana and vanilla, followed by dried apricot, citrus and peat smoke embers. Vibrant and salty middle (a touch more of the Islay casks) with hints of spice and vanilla. Intense and masked finish which makes the mouth water.
Diluted the nose now shows more spirit character as the rum influence is a lot subtler. The Islay notes have virtually disappeared, and I still don’t get any roasted snake notes! The palate is fuller and creamier with more American oak vanillins and more rummy dried fruit, but there’s also some Blair Athol character as well now. Long, drying cereal and spice finish, again no roasted snake!
£67.96
