Twitter Tasting The Gladstone Axe Malt Whiskies – Sampling At The Edge!

The Gladstone Axe – which one was my favourite on the night?!

Last Wednesday nights @TweetTastings, hosted by Steve from The Whisky Wire, gave us the opportunity to sample the two styles available from The Gladstone Axe!

The malts sampled were:-

The Gladstone Axe “American Oak”

The Gladstone Axe “The Black Axe”

Fine wine and spirits company, Biggar and Leith recently launched The Gladstone Axe Malt Whisky and it is named after four-times Prime Minister, William Gladstone.

The whisky is a modern twist on classic Scotch and the two expressions in the range – American Oak and The Black Axe – are both bottled in iconic bottles which tells the story of William Gladstone, but in a contemporary way.

The whiskies have been carefully selected from the Highlands and Islay to create two easy-drinking smooth blends made up of 14 single malts and were created in honour of William Gladstone by his great-great-great Grandson, Elwyn Gladstone, Founder of Biggar and Leith and Malfy Gin.

Gladstone Axe Whisky – American Oak and The Black Axe!

If you want to catch up on what all the tweet tasters had to say you can view their comments by searching for the hash tag #TheGladstoneAxe on Twitter.

So, what did I think?

Here are my tasting notes … and the one which was my favourite on the night!

Tasting Notes – The Gladstone Axe “American Oak” Blended Malt Whisky (41%)

The Gladstone Axe American Oak is aged and finished in American Oak Bourbon barrels and blended from whiskies from 14 different Highland and Islay single malt distilleries.

Nose: Creamy toffee and vanilla, woody oak and all coupled with buttery popcorn.

Palate: A thin mouthfeel with some sweet popcorn and vanilla toffee. I was also getting quite a new-make spirit vibe with this dram.

Finish: Smooth, light finish with quite a peppery spice as well as very inviting savoury pastry!

Overall: Quite untamed with an attractive rough n’ ready palate!

Tasting Notes – The Gladstone Axe “The Black Axe” Blended Malt Whisky (41%))

The Black Axe has a higher proportion of Islay malts to add just a touch of smoky character!

Nose: Buttery popcorn (as before) but this time with wood and a little smoke!

Palate: A light dram. Sweet vanilla toffee with liquid smoke and wisps of licorice.

Finish: Black treacle blended with some spicy chilli punch ending in tobacco dryness and a little sulphur.

Overall: Of the two The Black Axe is nicest taken neat – I think because of the subtle smokiness (which I’m a sucker for!)

My Favourite On The Night

Out of the 2, I think it’s got to be the The Gladstone Axe “The Black Axe” but both these drams will make an excellent choice as mixer whiskies!

Many thanks to Steve at The Whisky Wire (@TheWhiskyWire / @TweetTastings) for a great evening and The Gladstone Axe (@gladstone_axe) for sending the samples and without whom!

The Gladstone Axe range is available from:-