Here we are, our first review on the site. Let's jump in. We will be taking a look at two whiskies from a distillery that was opened in 2014 by Douglas Clement and is currently owned by Wemyss Malts. The distillery is situated in the Lowlands at the small village of Kingbarns, Fife. They are able to produce 200,000 liters each year.  

Kingsbarns Falkland - Natural Color and Non-chill filtered, 46%

"Kingsbarns Falkland has been distilled from barley sourced less than six miles from the Kingsbarns Distillery. Our limited release single malt has enjoyed maturation in two types of casks, maintaining balance and developing complexity.

Production Director Isabella Wemyss has carefully selected a combination of Ex-Bourbon and STR (shaved, toasted and re-charred) ex-Portuguese red wine casks to mature Falkland. The spirit comprises of 80% first fill ex-Bourbon barrels and 20% STR red wine casks to add another dimension to the whisky. This is an interesting take on our usual distillery style by ramping up our STR influence. This introduces greater warming spice notes, red fruits and even some chocolatey notes into the equation."

This is a very interesting Kingsbarns for me. I found that the selection of the casks works very well and is lovely. Also as you saw, my favourite casks are Port casks and this has just that, albeit in STR version.

Nose: The nose starts off with a nice malty base. I left it in the glass for about 5 minutes just to let it breath a bit. Vanilla and fresh croissant along with butterscotch and apple pie with frosting. The port casks add a bit of red fruitiness in the form of raspberries and redcurrants. Some fresh orchard fruits in the background such as apples, pears and apricot.

Taste: On the palate it is very creamy and oily. Lots of vanilla, toffee and butterscotch. I am getting some grapes and pepper. There is a slight bitterness. Orchard fruits. The port influence is a lot stronger on the nose than here but you can still taste some raspberries in the back. Overall this is pleasant and nice.

Finish: Medium in length. Fruity and malty. No signs of afterburn from the alcohol. White chocolate, pepper and cloves.

Altogether this is a very nice young single malt, which is not unique in any shape or form but is very well put together and could be a vey nice addition to your shelf. I will rate this 85 / 100. Pick one up by all means if you see one at a reasonable price which would be around 50 € - 60 €.

Kingsbarns Balcomie Cask Strength - Natural Color and Non-chill filtered, 59,9%

"Balcomie Cask Strength joins us as a limited edition for 2022. This light, sweet and fruity Single Malt has been matured in American oaks butts which have previously been used to age sherry using the traditional solera system. This means that the harsh wood characters have been removed, resulting in an elegant whisky where the sweet spirit is balanced perfectly by gentle sherry notes of the cask which nurses it to maturity."

I have tried the Balcomie 46% version and decided against picking one up because it was nothing special. However when I saw this one and it's ABV, well it got me thinking. The price finally convinced me and I picked up a bottle. Sherry maturation is nice when good sherry casks are used for it and not overused, "tired" ones. Also I don't generally like seasoned sherry casks. Most of the whiskies that were matured in these types of casks has a strange artificial and unpleasant sticky, rubber taste. Exception are the malts from Edrington Group such as Highland Park, Macallan and Glenrothes, they do it somehow else and their seasoned casks are amazing. Enough jibba-jabba, let's get into it.

Nose: Strong. Needs to air a bit. After 10 mintues in the glass it becomes way better. Caramel, vanilla and malt notes first. After these initial notes, the sherry starts to dominate in a good way. Sultanas, treacle and toffee with cloves and cinnamon. Christmas cake. Splendid.

Taste: Very strong but very well integrated alcohol. It doesn't necessarily needs water. I like it as it is. Oily and complex. Sherry. Raisins, dark caramelized oranges, sultanas and lots of cinnamon. Dark chocolate and malt. A hint of toasted oak. Very nice.

Finish: Long finish, with a small burn from the 59.9% abv, which was expected to be honest. Ginger, cloves, cinnamon and oak with a hint of sherry fruitiness.

This is a lovely and fun whisky. You can have it neat or you can dilute it to your desired abv. It's better than the original Balcomie and I encourage you to try it. My rating of this will be 87 / 100.

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed it. To many more. Sláinte.