Here I am, once again, closing out the year with a bottle of Bain’s whisky. I ended 2022 on the Bain’s 15 yo whisky, my all time favourite, and this year, the last bottle I am opening is the Bains 15 yo Sonically Matured single grain whisky.
If you’ve been following my whisky adventures, you might recall that I tasted the Bain’s Symphony whisky in 2021. This was a 7 year old gem that spent three months in a unique ” sonic cellar” at the distillery. The Bain’s brand team played South African artist Tellaman’s music into the barrels, which caused the maturing whisky inside to move and constantly interact with the wood.
I was so smitten with that release that I stocked up on several backup bottles. When the Bain’s 15 year old sonically mature whisky was unveiled, it was a no-brainer to add it to my collection.
This year, the occasion was particularly special. We had just moved into our new house in a different country, marking the start of a thrilling new adventure. What better way to commemorate this milestone than by uncorking a bottle of our favourite South African whisky brand?
The Bain’s 15 yo Sonically Matured edition is a limited release that embodies the pinnacle of artisanal expertise.
Four casks of standard Bain’s whisky were aged for 15 years, after which they spent five months in a bespoke sonic cellar. Only 1,200 bottles of this triple-matured whisky were released, making it a true collector’s item.
Over the years, the distillery has unveiled a captivating array of releases, each with the unique Bain’s character and flavour profile. Notable mentions include Bain’s 10 yo Shiraz Cask, an expression that marries the rich, fruity notes of Shiraz wine casks with the elegance of Bain’s whisky.
There is also the Bain’s Founders Collection 18 year old PX Finish whisky as well as the Bain’s 21 year old Double Cask whisky.
Also Read: Toor Whisky
Bains 15 yo Sonically Matured Whisky Review
I have bottle 0282 /1200
ABV: 45.9%
COLOUR:Golden amber
NOSE: Tropical banana and grain sweetness with a nutty creaminess. Wet wood and hints of leather with black pepper and vanilla.
PALATE: The first sip brings wood spices before the tropical sweetness. It needs to breathe a bit before the sweetness can come through. Hints of vanilla and grain with a taste that reminds me of grilled pineapple dusted with chilli salt. Water allowed the fruity sweetness to come forward but also increased the wood note.
FINISH: Drying oak with pepper and vanilla.
RATING: EXCELLENT
John loved it. He prefers a spicier dram. My palate prefers the sweeter notes in the standard Bains 15 year old. I found the first sip overwhelmingly spicy, and only after adding a generous dash of water did the spices cool down enough to enjoy.
I looked back at my Bains 15 yo tasting notes; the most significant difference is in the spices. The tropical fruity notes are all still there, together with the creamy vanilla. The Sonically Matured bottle just has the extra spice layer.
Don’t get me wrong, the spices did not stop us from finishing the bottle. It is still a smooth, delicious grain whisky and another of Andy’s masterpieces. Fortunately, I have another bottle squirrelled away for the future.
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