For our third release in the Extinct Blends Quartet, Metropolis, we step into the throng of a striving city through the ages. Blended Scotch began in the metropolis, with blending vats in Glasgow and Edinburgh producing bottles for urban jungles around the world. The soul of blended Scotch continues to reside in the city.
Metropolis uses some of our rarest and most mature stocks. It centres around nutty and biscuity single malt from the Aberlour Distillery, aged in re-charred American oak barrels. This is supported by citrusy and vanilla-accented single malt from the Miltonduff Distillery. A blended grain parcel and a hint of herbal smoke courtesy of malt whisky from the Bowmore Distillery complete the complex recipe.
Vanilla arrives first on the nose, followed by a medley of different honeys. Fudge, apricot and pineapple lead to fresh fig. A rich and very complex palate with sultana, apricot again and hints of smoky woodiness. A long and sweet finish, with a pleasing weight.
Bottles of Scotch whisky are time capsules. Even more than single malts, blends can reflect the production methods and philosophies that prevailed in Scotland during specific eras. Scotch is constantly evolving, and blends aggregate these trends and adaptations.
Fashions change, and formulae follow suit. Blended whiskies of the 1970s, '80s and '90s are very different to today’s versions, even when the brand name remains the same. The Extinct Blends Quartet reimagines four of our favourite blended Scotches from yesteryear, using some of our rarest and most idiosyncratic stocks of whisky.
Recipe and Facts
Flavour profile
Vanilla arrives first on the nose, followed by a medley of different honeys. Fudge, apricot and pineapple lead to fresh fig. A rich and very complex palate with sultana, apricot again and hints of smoky woodiness. A long and sweet finish, with a pleasing weight.
Recommendations
Metropolis reflects the excitement and richness of life in the city and so is best enjoyed when life is rich and exciting. Try with a big ice sphere.
Technical details
Bottled at 49% ABV.
Natural colour.
Not chill-filtered.
Blended Scotch Whisky.
A limited edition of 5,910.
Released: September 2023.
Lead whiskymaker
James Saxon
James Saxon
Join the interesting
Sign up to our mailing list
Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
