Thompson Bros White Peak 2018
Ex-bourbon Cask English single Malt | 57.1% ABV
Score: 7/10
Very Good Indeed.
TL;DR
Unlike the rugby currently, this is something the English are getting very right
The Six Nations Finale Is Upon Us
There are a lot of things that distract me from whisky these days. I recently spent some time finishing up the last instalment in my ‘Malternatives’ feature series, which you can read here. But at this time of the year, I’m always engulfed in my other passion: Rugby.
Every year throughout February and March, the Six Nations tournament captures the interest of all rugby fans worldwide. I personally lie in the camp of those who say it is the best tournament in the whole of sport.
Six teams, going head-to-head every year to claim a title which is never easily obtained. Countries which have waged actual wars on each other in the past, now thankfully limiting the contest to sport. The game of rugby lends itself well to canalise these ancestral grudges. It can be a brutal yet beautiful game, and is as much about physical domination as it is about strategy and having a mental edge over your opponent.
The six nations in question are: Italy, who joined the tournament in 2000, and which is currently showcasing the best rugby they’ve ever played; Wales, a historic contender for the title but who have unfortunately slipped down the ranks in the past few years; Ireland, who have been amongst the favourites in every tournament of the past ten years; Scotland, who - despite having a plethora of world class players - are seeking their first win in the 21st century; England, who everyone else wants to see losing; and France, clearly the best side in the world right now, despite having slipped up against Scotland.
Honestly, there’s no other team in the world I would rather concede 50 points to!
Each team plays against every other one once, and the one which accumulates the most points in the rankings wins the tournament. Simple enough. If a team wins all matches, it’s called a grand slam, and it’s the pinnacle of a rugby career, bar maybe a world cup win. France currently holds the title after a convincing 2025 campaign. It will defend said title against England this Saturday evening, with Scotland and Ireland still in the running, and facing each other in Dublin. I freaking love this tournament.
The stadiums are packed, the atmosphere is unreal, and pretty much every game is a real contest. What’s best though is the camaraderie between the supporters. The friendliness is especially palpable when the French meet the Scots, due to the famed Auld Alliance.
It is almost always a period when I drink a bit less whisky though, instead favouring beer. But at the same time I feel like it is a great occasion to switch up the habits a little and maybe go for less trodden malt paths, ie. something other than Scotch. It’s kind of fun to mirror the rugby games with ‘whisky face-offs’!
Review
White Peak 2018, Thompson Bros release, 7yo, first-fill ex-bourbon barrel, 57.1% ABV
£60 paid, still some availability
White Peak, who bottle their whiskies under the Wireworks brand, have been making quite a lot of noise in recent years, in a good way. They’re yet to gain distribution in France, so I often count on my visits to Scotland to be able to sample the liquid. I haven’t tried dozens of them, but every single one has been right up my alley. Tom Lindsey, White Peak’s master distiller, luckily often makes the trip at the same time as me, and he is a fantastic guy, doubling as a lethal blind taster as well.
Last November in Glasgow, The Thompson Brothers had just released this one, and while everyone was absorbed by the latest Mystery Malt series, I sampled it and ran to the festival shop to immediately grab one. I even got to use my festival voucher.
Score: 7/10
Very Good Indeed.
TL;DR
Unlike the rugby currently, this is something the English are getting very right
Nose
Quite fruity, white peach, soft smoke, orange candies. Hoppy pale ale. Fruity hops, mango lassi. The peat is just noticeable, clearly leaving room for the fermenty aromas. Apple compote.
With water: A bit maltier, and fruitier as well. Porridge, but also a hint of lychee, dragon fruit and some juice, overripe conference pear. A dollop of melted vanilla ice cream. Great saline and savoury edge, almost reminiscing of agave.
Palate
Round, malty, fruity and creamy. What more could you want? White pepper and ashy smoke on the finish. Dry malt.
With water: The fruity element gains in definition. Orchard and fresh tropical fruits. Heavy cream and vanilla extract too. The smoky aspect barely changes.
The Dregs
Well, currently and much to my delight, the English are much better at whisky than they are at rugby. I’m forced to admit that this is miles ahead of basically any French whisky I’ve tried, bar maybe the 15 and 18yo Armorik, or Kornog. The only thing preventing it from reaching the 8/10 threshold is a slightly woody finish, but rest assured, the cask absolutely does not overpower this distillate. This is going to age marvellously, and I cannot wait to sample White Peak liquid when it is also 15 years of age.
Well done England. Good game.
As for the weekend ahead of us - let battle commence!
Score: 7/10
Today, we’re listening to Madison Cunningham, for no other reason than I’ve recently seen her live, and it was utterly beautiful. I’m a massive fan and you definitely should be as well. Go and check out Break The Jaw, from her latest album Ace.
Tried this? Share your thoughts in the comments below. AF
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