It’s Dam Dranken Week at dram1.com and today I’ll be tasting an reviewing their Thalassa Whisky Campbeltown. Only 169 bottles of this 6 year old Campbeltown malt we’re released and this particular release matured in a first fill bourbon barrel before being transferred aboard the Tallship Thalassa to spend another half year rocking the waves in a second fill Manzanilla Quarter Cask. Included with the bottle is a sample of the whisky before it got it’s dynamic ageing and I have to say the difference between the two is immense.
But as always, in the end all that matters is flavour. So without further ado, let’s get into the tasting notes to find out if this Thalassa Whisky Campeltown is yet another Dam Dranken release that will score as high a praise as the earlier Ardbeg PX and Ardmore releases! Unlinke the previously reviewed Ardbeg and Ardmore releases this whisky didn’t just sail through europe, but through the carribean as well!
Tasting Notes: King Cask – Thalassa Whisky Campbeltown
Stats:
ABV: 58% (116 proof)
Age: 6 years old
Distillery: Secret Campbeltown
Bottled by: King Cask / Dam Dranken
Chill-filtered: No
Natural Colour: Yes
Nose:
A bouquet of fruity elements awaits. I’m picking out ripe banana’s, green apples, honeydew melon and a even a touch of kiwi. Those lovely fruity notes are paired with malty notes of cereal and warm baked bread and to add some spice I’m finding some cinnamon and cloves as well.
Palate:
The palate has much deeper and darker flavours than the nose would lead you to believe. It’s full of heavy syrup, dark molasses, liquorice root, and maple syrup. The malty notes from the nose turn into american pancakes and the fruit turns from fresh to dried in the form of prunes and apricots. An unbelievable yet delightful contrast between nose and palate.
Finish:
The finish is very long and most noticeable are the flavours found on the palate. Dark molasses and liquorice root linger for a very long time and the latter almost turns into a popsicle stick near the end. In other words it does get quite tannic near the end, but the heavy and sweet elements of this dram make sure it never becomes overbearing.
Food Pairing:
This dram would go absolutely stunning with a cranberry paté on a nice piece of toast. But it’s powerful enough to stand up to some lovely italian charcuterie as well! A nice cheese pairing with an aged gouda would also work wonders though. For a sweet option I’d personally pair this with a white chocolate. It’s not often you find a whisky that can stand up to the intense sweetness of white chocolate, but this dram surely can!
Verdict:
This Thalassa Whisky Campbeltown is yet another lovely whisky from Dam Dranken. The influence of the Manzanilla Cask sailing through the carribean is immense and while that means it packs a huge punch, I can imagine that it can also become to heavy for some. This is surely not a beginners dram and it requires a taste for big and bold flavours. But if you’re anything like me, that’s great news!
