Chapter 34
My first Brave New Spirits Whisky
After our delicious chat with Paul Dempsey (Leo’s Chapter 36) another delicious experience.
Thanks to Paul’s generosity a cracking selection from Brave New Spirit Whisky. These are all cask strength, unchill-filtered, natural colour, full of character drams.
We really enjoyed this experience. Bold statements of flavour at decent prices given today’s market. Let’s see which one is our favourite.
Voodoo - The High Priest - 52.6%
From an undisclosed Orkney (not so hard to guess) distillery. Matured in first fill wine and burgundy and bottled after 8 years minimum at 52.6% abv. Around £60 in the UK these days.
On the Nose: A fascinating and slightly rustic opening, with red wine notes carrying a sulfury edge that immediately sets a distinctive tone. Hints of fresh strawberries peek through, softened by a gentle waft of peat. As it develops, sweet accents of candied cedar add an intriguing, almost resinous lift.
Palate: Unexpected yet delicious—a bold combination of smoky, crispy bacon glazed with orange zest. The smoke is present but never overpowering, creating a playful contrast with the underlying sweetness.
Finish: A return to the fruit-forward character, where red fruits come back with clarity, leaving a soft, lingering echo that ties the whole experience together.
Overall:A quirky and memorable dram with unusual but well-balanced layers. The mix of winey funk, smoke, and fruit delivers a tasting journey that’s both surprising and rewarding. A whisky that invites curiosity and is well worth the exploration
Cask Noir - Ghost of the Hill - 54.6%
17 year old from Port Dundas a Cask Noir Production. Grain whisky matured in a first fill Lafite Wine barrique and bottled as single cask at 54.6%.
On the Nose: A bold and challenging nose that grabs attention straight away. Fresh garlic and a slightly dusty cardboard note create an unusual, almost savory foundation. Layers of vanilla soften the edges, while coastal hints of brine and clams bring a distinct maritime character.
Palate: The palate leans into its coastal personality, with a briny, savory core balanced by a subtle creamy sweetness from the vanilla.
Finish: A medium finish with lingering sea spray and a faint echo of that initial garlicky note.
Overall: A daring, unconventional whisky that doesn’t shy away from bold, divisive aromas. It’s a dram for the adventurous—complex, coastal, and unafraid to challenge expectations.
The Whisky Heroes - Deep Creatures of the Lake - 58.1%
Sold at around £68 in the UK, this is a 10 year old Loch Lomond matured in 1st fill bourbon and bottled at 58.1%
On the Nose: Bright and inviting, with fresh lemon zest leading the way. Delicate notes of white chocolate add a creamy sweetness, creating a lively contrast that draws you in.
Palate: Surprisingly complex. Sharp white pepper delivers a vibrant kick, balanced by an unexpected savory twist—smoked anchovies that bring depth and a subtle maritime edge. Layers unfold with each sip, offering a mix of spice, smoke, and creamy citrus.
Finish: Not overly long, but clean and satisfying, leaving behind a gentle warmth and a faint echo of that peppery, coastal character.
Overall: A distinctive and playful dram that delivers far more complexity than you might expect from its age. The combination of sweet, spicy, and savory elements makes this an intriguing whisky that keeps you coming back for another sip. Bold, fresh, and uniquely memorable.
Voodoo - Mask of Death - 51.0%
A 10 year old Dailuaine matured in a mix of virgin oak and 1st fill bourbon.
On the Nose: A warm and comforting nose with sweet layers of caramel draped over baked pears and apple crumble. It’s rich, dessert-like, and immediately inviting.
Palate: The palate follows through beautifully with soft, stewed apples and ripe pears, dusted in cinnamon and wrapped in smooth vanilla. There’s a gentle balance between the spice and the sweetness that keeps it lively without overwhelming.
Finish: Peach and pear notes linger, blending seamlessly into a creamy custard sweetness that fades softly.
Overall: A deliciously classic dram with a rich, dessert-driven profile. Comforting, accessible, and full of orchard fruit charm—this is one of those whiskies that’s easy to enjoy and hard to forget. A sweet, satisfying sip from start to finish.
Cask Noir - Mutiny On The Wire Majestic - 56.8%
This is a Bunnahabhain Moine 10 year old matured entirely in bourbon barrel and bottled at 56.8%.
On the Nose: Opens with rich BBQ smoke and a campfire embers vibe, overlaid with sweet, sticky dates. The bourbon cask influence brings a toast-and-sugar warmth that balances the peat.
Palate: A robust, full-throttle arrival: peat and smoke hit first, followed by dark fruit sweetness reminiscent of dates and dried berries. A hint of honeyed vanilla from the bourbon cask softens the edges while a brisk salinity keeps it grounded.
Finish: Medium-long and smoky, with lingering dark fruit notes and a gentle sweetness that fades into bonfire warmth. A clean echo of ash and peat remains.
Overall: A compelling fusion of Bunnahabhain’s coastal peat character with rich bourbon-cask fruitiness. Balanced, bold, and intriguingly layered—perfect for those seeking smoky complexity beyond Islay’s usual profile.
The Whisky Heroes - Defenders of the crown - 52.9%
This is a 8 year old Annandale matured in first fill Oloroso sherry and bottled at 52.9% as you can clearly understand from the name :-). Price point around £70 in the UK.
On the Nose: An unconventional, marine-fresh opening with bracing notes of fish sauce and rich tobacco—an intriguing mix of maritime funk and earthy warmth. Beneath that lies gentle orchard sweetness with whispers of dried fruits from the oloroso sherry cask.
Palate: Worthy of its name—strong, nuanced, and well-balanced. A bed of barley sugar and dark liquorice delivers both sweetness and spice, evolving into raisin-drenched richness and subtle pepper notes. Layers of dark chocolate and lingering oak spice echo through each sip.
Finish: Medium to long, with a dark, honeyed warmth that fades into a gentle smoky note. The sherry cask leaves a trail of dried fruit and mild spice, creating a satisfying fade-out.
Overall: A bold, single-cask dram that combines coastal character with classic sherry depth. It’s strong and layered, although the fish sauce note may divide opinion. A fascinating and memorable pour for lovers of unconventional whisky with true character.
Overall
Overall really solid performance from Brave New Spirits. Definitively one of our favourites independent bottlers out there. They keep bringing out good quality, beautiful presentations and rich experiences.
One thing I don’t personally get is the names, but I know nothing about marketing. The whisky is good tho. You just need some time to understand what you’re drinking, but that’s not a blocker at all. Actually sometimes helps removing some of the unconscious biases we all have.
We really love what they are doing and can’t wait to see what comes out of Witchburn’s distillery (Jack’s Chapter 24). Until then…Sláinte!
Drams
and more...
Today's drams
- Vodoo the high priest – 52.6%
- Ghost of the hill 54.6%
- Deep creatures of the lake – 58.1%
- Voodoo mask of death – 51.0%
- Mutiny On The Wire Majestic – 56.8%
- Defenders of the crown – 52.9%