A cask is ready when it’s ready. Sometimes, it takes several decades for the spirit inside to reach its peak. And sometimes, it only takes a few years. In the end, I don’t think that I could ever overstress the much-quoted statement that “age is just a number”. Sure, there are tons of old whiskies out there that put me in awe. But there are also heaps of young releases available that enthrall me just as much! One recent bottling that absolutely supports this claim is Dràm Mòr’s Williamson 6 Years Old. The cask strength Islay malt was filled in 2021 from a refill hogshead. In total, this tea-spooned Laphroaig (named after legendary distillery manager Bessie Williamson) produced 348 individually numbered bottles, one of which I was happy to add to my collection. After sipping numerous drams of it, I cannot help but say: Hats off to Dràm Mòr’s founder Kenny Macdonald and his team for sourcing this unique cask; and for fearlessly releasing it at a rather early – but superbly chosen – point in time! Sure, I kinda get it if some of you might be a little undecided whether a six years old Scotch was really worth a soaring 95 Euro price tag. However, the way I see it, you don’t buy the number on the label. You buy the whisky in the bottle! And in the case of this Williamson, the spirit is impressively well-evolved, many-sided, and one-of-a-kind. Give it a try and I am sure it will convince you in an instant … just as it did with me!

by Tobi

Eye: Ochre enriched with a golden shine.
Nose: An intriguing mix of smells! The first sensation I get is a hay barn on fire. Then come vanilla pudding, English marmalade, and roasted nuts. Next, a gobstopper sweetness unfolds. It appears together with a flood of maritime notes: sun-bleached seashell, lemon-dripped calamari, foam-sprayed stone. Vapor-wise, this young Williamson’s an up-and-down rollercoaster ride of peated awesomeness, going back and froth from dry to sweet to crisp to dense to fumy.
Palate: The malt has Islay written all over it. Its sweet and creamy toffee foundation quickly gets covered with tar, grease, stone, wood, zest, spray, and more. In detail, I get herbal smoke, diesel oil, hospital floor, malt candy, sea food, lemon zest, mushy fruit, mint toothpaste, lye pastry, and caramel fudge. Yeah … there’s really a lot going on in this bright and spirited single malt whisky! Also, the drop has its edges – no doubt. But its colorful flavor profile is beautifully arranged, highly stimulating, and stunningly developed nonetheless.
Finish: The expansive finale is full of “green” smoke (like burned plants) as well as engine room fumes, cough syrup, lime squeeze, hazelnut crumble, resin drip, and bonfire wood. Also, it produces a slightly bitter-ish quality that has me thinking of grapefruit splash. Somewhat surprisingly, the whisky first and foremost leaves a refreshed taste in the mouth, rather than an ashen, salted or medical one.

Type: Blended Malt Whisky
Region: Islay
Age: 6 years old
Alc. volume: 56.4 per cent
Cask: Refill hogshead
Bottle size: 0.7 litres
# of bottles: 348
Price: 95.00 Euro
More info: https://drammorgroup.com/ (Bottler)

*** I bought the bottle myself as a regular customer. ***