Review: Whiskies of Single Cask Nation, Spring 2025 Releases
Since their acquisition by Artisanal Spirits last year, the folks at Single Cask Nation have been extra busy bringing a lot of unique single casks to both their online and retail markets. Today, we’re looking at six different SCN single malts available to Nation members via their online marketplace (no membership fees, just an email to sign up and a flat $15 to ship). While these indie bottlings have tended to impress in the past, this latest lot is firing on all cylinders with selections as unique and enjoyable as they are affordable.
Single Cask Nation Ardnamurchan 9 Years Old Review
Aged all nine years in first fill bourbon barrels. We’ve been impressed by the younger single malts from this coastal Highland distillery, but now approaching ten years old this single malt is really singing. The nose is big and sweet with top notes of vanilla soft serve, toasted marshmallow, buttercream icing, and candied lemon peel. As it opens, earthy, slightly funky undertones offer an intriguing juxtaposition with notes of barley husks, portobello, campfire ash, and sea foam. The palate merges both dimensions of the aroma, showcasing thick layers of flavor that are both savory and sugary sweet. Notes of saltwater taffy, grilled lemon, and thick barbecue sauce give way to gently peppery candied ginger on the midpalate before a warm rush of citrus candies, toffee, saline, and soft wood smoke on a generous finish. Beautiful stuff. 129.8 proof. A / $100
Single Cask Nation Blacksboat Bridge 12 Years Old Review
This single malt from an unnamed Speyside distillery utilizing direct-fired stills (Google it) is aged in first fill ex-bourbon casks before spending a full five years in first fill Spanish oak. It’s a gorgeous expression of this classic distillery that’s really singing, even at a tender age. The nose is warm and rich with butter croissants, vanilla bean, and abundant oak tones: singed cedar, sawdust, old furniture, and sandalwood. As it opens, fruits arrive with strawberry cobbler and a bit of apricot jam. The palate is vibrant and sweet with sugared berries, candied peels, and cocktail cherry. Undertones of caramel sauce and toffee pudding complement a silky, unctuous mouthfeel. The finish is warm and gently spiced with lingering notes of clove-studded orange and almond cake. A cracking dram. 124.8 proof. A / $120
Single Cask Nation Glencadam 13 Years Old Review
Aged in first-fill ex-bourbon for a decade with three years finishing time in first-fill STR (shaved, toasted, and recharred) casks. This is a funky whisky in the best possible way. The SCN founders claim it reminds them of 1980s distilled Bowmore which is sometimes referred to by the acronym FWP (for ‘French whore perfume’). Trust me, it’s more appealing than it sounds. On the nose, notes of slightly dull potpourri and treacle are sweet and fragrant, if also alluringly sweaty and brooding. As it opens, sweet, damp oak and a slight mushroom quality add another odd but engaging layer to the aroma. The palate is floral and green with sautéed bell peppers and lavender giving way on the midpalate to darker chocolate ganache, currants, and a bit of brine. The finish is warm, simmering with black pepper, barbecued meats, and a buttercream sweetness. Unlike most single malts out there; unusual but a lot of fun to explore. 120.4 proof. A- / $120
Single Cask Nation Tormore 10 Years Old Review
Aged in first-fill ex-bourbon before four years finishing in first-fill American oak sherry hogsheads. This is our first taste of Tormore in quite a long time. A full, fruity nose pours from the glass with notes of blackberry jam, grape skin, and warm blueberry cobbler. Undertones of seasoned oak and wood polish offer a nice contrast to all that fruity sweetness and eventually turn the aroma a touch drier as it opens. The palate is big and rich, not quite “sherry bomb” territory but toeing the line with elegant notes of baking chocolate, candied ginger, sugared almonds, and sweet citrus which turns to peach candies on the midpalate. It’s warm and peppery and mouthcoating. The finish is silky and long with a little wood smoke, cocoa, and peach pie. An after-dinner dram that’s drinking well beyond its modest age statement. 126.4 proof. A- / $100
Single Cask Nation Rosarie Burn 15 Years Old Review
This single malt from the Glentauchers distillery aged in first-fill ex-bourbon for twelve years followed by three years in first fill oloroso sherry. The nose is soft with an elegant sherry profile showcased in notes of warm raisin bread, milky coffee, grated citrus, and a little teak oil. As it opens, a cigar box note builds with inviting intensity, eventually giving way to brownies and singed oak. The palate is all oloroso with early notes of almond paste, chocolate pudding, and clove syrup. It’s a bit sharp initially at cask strength but eases into a smoldering warmth on the midpalate. The finish simmers with big, sweet notes of cherry jam, damp tobacco, and chocolate covered espresso beans. 125.2 proof. A- / $145
Single Cask Nation Isle of Arran 8 Years Old Review
This peated single malt from Arran’s Lochranza distillery also ages its whole, young life in first-fill ex-bourbon. The nose is unusually earthy with notes of hay bales, flint, potters clay, and cold smoke from an early morning campfire. A lacing of dried fruits, apricot and pineapple, add a modicum of sweetness to an otherwise dry and crisp aroma. The palate is green and bright with notes of smoked agave, butterscotch candies, and grilled lemon. The sweet and smoke are well-balanced, giving way to salted caramel and a bit of coal ash on the midpalate before a finish of pipe smoke and licorice. This is my first taste of peated whisky from Arran, and it certainly distinguishes itself from its more famous sister isle. Peatheads take note. 123.6 proof. A- / $100
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