This whisky is the latest bottling in the annual Huntress series from the Highland distillery of Nc’ nean. The series is inspired by Neachneohain, the Gaelic goddess who inspired Nc’nean’s name, who was known as ‘The Huntress’ in local legend. Each release explores possibilities within the spirit, with flavour development driven by fermentation and distillation rather than cask. The Nc’ nean Huntress Malted Teacake is the fifth release in the series.
Malted Teacake explores how fermentation and different yeast strains can shape the flavour of their organic spirit. The whisky is made with two of Nc’nean’s house yeast strains, plus a third strain commonly used in Belgian Trappist style ales. These trials began in 2017. The casks and ratios of each cask in the batch are 50% STR ex-red wine, 48% ex-bourbon, and 2% ex-Oloroso sherry.
Nc’nean was founded in 2017 by Annabel Thomas. It is located within the Drimnin Estate, owned by Thomas’ parents. This is on a remote west Highland peninsula overlooking the isle of Mull. Distillation began in March 2017 but Nc’Nean has had sustainability at its core since its planning stage. It was the UK’s first distillery to gain Net Zero status with carbon dioxide emissions as close to zero as possible. The distillery is certified organic, powered by 100% renewable energy, recycles 99.97% of its waste and is certified B-Corp. Their whisky is also bottled in 100% recycled glass and is vegan friendly. The annual production capacity is 100,000 litres.
Nc’ nean Huntress Malted Teacake is released at 48.5% ABV and is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. There are just 4,391 bottles. These will be available via specialist whisky retailers in the UK and selected world markets from April 22. A bottle will cost £90.
Our Tasting Notes
The colour is bright gold and the nose os youthful, fresh and vibrant. Aromas of fresh fruit, especially red apple and ripe peach, rise first and are quickly joined by a distinct malty and biscuit-like quality. Then come further aromas of butterscotch, slightly burnt sugar and something yeasty sitting in the background. Hints of marzipan, lemon zest and white pepper are also evident.
On the palate this whisky is sweet and fruity with a buttery and almost oily texture. The bright fruitiness again dominates to begin with the peach being joined by some fresh apricot too. The apple has evolved to be more reminiscent of fairground toffee apple, and this note is joined by sugary sultana, malty biscuits and Wurther’s Originals hard toffee sweets.
The malty biscuit characteristic grows with time and is supported by some milk chocolate and honeyed notes. Hints of fresh fig and toasted almond also evolve nicely, as does a warming pinch of baking spice. Later notes of buttery pastry and marzipan add to the creamy, oily nature of the whisky. A final twist of lemon zest adds depth, as does a kick of white peppery heat.
The finish is of decent length and becomes a little grassy and floral with time – think of hay and something reminiscent of honeysuckle or jasmine. The sweetness and the fruity elements fade to reveal the baking spices in full. This also reveals some oak and drying tannins at the death.
What’s The Verdict?
This whisky is deliciously bright, vibrant and uplifting. It shows off a youthful charm that is underpinned with a buttery texture and malty undertone. Nc’ nean do not do things the easy way but the sustainable, ethical and organic way. The result is bags of flavour and character. This latest installment in the Huntress series is a delight, and one that shows off what the remote organic distillery is doing well. Long may that continue.
