“And by payment made to Brother John Cor by precept of the comptroller, as he asserts, by the King’s command, to make aqua vite within the period of the account, 8 bolls of malt.” Exchequer Rolls of 1494
This is widely recognized as the first written record of the production of aqua vitae, or whisky. It was likely made by the monks at Lindores Abbey, which was founded in 1191 outside Newburgh on the river Tay, 40km straight North of Edinburgh. The abbey closed in 1559, and today stands in ruins.
On nearby land was built the independently owned Lindores Abbey distillery, releasing their first young whisky in 2017. Using wooden washbacks, long fermentations, and slow distillation, the distillery has gained reputation among whisky geeks.
I first tried some at Limburg whisky fair 2023, and was quite impressed. Today I’m taking the opportunity to try with a bit more attention. Starting, of course, with some new make to really test the quality of the spirit. Then, logically, I should try the core release, the MCDXCIV matured in bourbon barrels + sherry butts + wine barriques. But my sample of this is still sitting with the retailer… What I have are two expressions of the “Casks of Lindores” which showcases a single one of the casks types involved in the core release, at a higher strength if not full cask strength.
Lindores New Make | 63.5% | Official
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Scotch new make
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💲
€17 (20cl)
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whiskybase
5cl sample bottle
⚡Experience
Nose: less “newmakey” than most newmakes; not this very strong honeyed note, but softer caramel and toffee, and blueberry, cranberry, cough syrup, and farmyard. Palate: medium sweet, creamy and bready, with a prickly alcohol and spice.
💡Thoughts
Yup, that’s a promising new make!
Rewarding (for a new make)
✔️
Lindores Abbey “The Casks of Lindores II” | NAS (bott. 2023) | 49.4% | Official
5cl sample bottle
⚡Experience
Nose: the alcohol comes out a bit strong, but behind it there’s a lot of fruit (citrus, apple juice, banana, golden sultanas), some white (dessert) wine, and juniper wood. Palate: it’s not very sweet, slightly bitter, tonic-like quality. Flavours of fruits (pear drops, mulberry, melon), and into the development malty and (good) fermentation notes.
💡Thoughts
Quality spirit here, shining in a bourbon cask. Does need to get a bit older to become really exciting though. But with some age this will be a banger. That slight funky note is ace and the juniper also gives it its own character.
Rewarding
✔️
Lindores Abbey “The Casks of Lindores” | NAS (bott. 2022) | 49.4% | Official
5cl sample bottle
⚡Experience
The nose is vigorous, with cola, wine gums, red grapes, and spices (nutmeg, clove). A hint of hot rubber (sulphur). Palate: sweetish, a little tannic. Flavourwise more wine gums, pickles veggies, rye bread, coffee, hint of leather, tobacco and liquorice.
💡Thoughts
Young, and a little unrefined, but showing a quite entertaining and even match between a characterful spirit and lively wine casks.
Rewarding
✔️
Definitely among the more interesting of the new wave of distilleries. Worth following its progression over the years, it’s only going to get better.
DuckDrams 
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