Review | FABLE The Pale Horse

The Pale Horse is the first blended malt Scotch whisky in the second volume of releases from small batch independent bottler FABLE Whisky. The brand is founded on the art of storytelling, illustration and whisky-making with each volume inspired by a different Scottish legend or fable.

The second volume sees the brand investigate The Lost Keepers of Flannan Isles. This is a true story of three lighthouse keepers who mysterious disappeared from their remote posting on Eilean Mor, one of the Flannan Isles in the wild north Atlantic Ocean, in 1900.

This blended malt is joined by eight single cask single malts from a selection Highland, Lowland and Speyside distilleries. Each is named after a significant character or event within the story of The Lost Keepers of Flannan Isles. The Pale Horse is named after a ‘pale horse’, which is the name given to a large wave or sea swell. This is one of the theories of the lighthouse keepers’ disappearance. The artwork is created by graphic visual artist Hugo Cuellar.

FABLE whisky was launched as a brand in 2021 with the first volume of single and blended malts. This was inspired by The Legend of the Ghost Piper of Clanyard Bay, based on a long forgotten Scottish fable of an ill-fated piper and his faithful dog.

FABLE is the brainchild of whisky retail veterans Andrew Torrance and Calum Lawrie. They formed the parent company, Pendulum Spirits Ltd, in 2020. They also founded Sipwell Brands, which specialises in bringing new spirits products to the global travel retail market. Many of these are small craft distilleries and whiskies include Isle of Harris, Lochlea and Kilchoman.

The Pale Horse is bottled at a minimum of eight years old and 46.5% ABV. It is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. The component single malts have been matured in ex-bourbon barrels and hogshead casks. The component whiskies are from the Highland and Speyside regions of Scotland with Tomatin at its heart. There are just 9,000 bottles available and each will cost £40-45.

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Our Tasting Notes

The colour is bright gold and the nose is sweet, malty and vibrant. Aromas of icing sugar, candied lime, and robust chocolatey malt mingle with oaky and peppery spice. Further aromas of marzipan, dried green apple and vanilla paste

On the palate this whisky is creamy and fruity with a malty backbone. Tart green apple hits first and is quickly joined by plenty of sugary sweetness. Notes of white chocolate, sweetened cocoa powder, marshmallow and icing sugar are to the fore. Citrus is again prominent and comes in the form of lemon drizzle cake and candied lime. The robust malted cereals underpin everything and add depth, structure and complexity. This also helps to exaggerate the cocoa/chocolate aspect.

Hints of earthy liquorice root, clove oil and gingerbread sit in the background. There is also plenty of cinnamon that evolves and comes through nicely. This is reminiscent of cinnamon bark (or maybe more subtle cassia). A further hint of jasmine-like florals and vanilla custard also develop.

The finish is malty and chocolatey, but a touch short. Both characteristics linger well but the sweeter and fruitier characteristics fade fairly quickly. This leaves some peppery heat and an oaky tannin dryness to grab your attention.

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What’s The Verdict?

The FABLE ranges are intriguing and we like that a blended malt gets showcased in each one. This category of whisky is often overlooked and underrated, but can offer plenty. The Pale Horse is delicious and characterful. It has plenty of depth and complexity, which makes it great for sipping neat. That said, we tried ours with various mixers and can highly recommend it as a long highball-style drink with either soda, tonic or ginger ale.