They say you shouldn’t be influenced by first impressions and that you never get a second chance to make that first impression again. In life that may be true but in whisky, fortunately you do. You see, for me Waterproof whisky arrived in a tasting glass surrounded by Whiskies with much greater character, depth and intrigue. It was easy to dismiss and put to one side, too easy not to afford it the attention it deserved. I have to admit that its brash yellow labelling, more akin to a bottle of vinegar, its name, and the fact it was a blend made it very easy to ignore - you see - first impressions eh! I was fortunate, therefore, to be asked by Dave to give it ‘a proper go’ and look beyond my tainted first impressions. I’m glad I did. The more I got to know Waterproof the more it grew on me.
Let’s start with those first impressions. It’s difficult to get past the branding to be honest. It’s definitely hard not to notice it, and it’s definitely YELLOW but its name is actually quite clever, WATER because it’s essential in whisky making, PROOF because it’s the old spirit strength measuring scale, it’s a BLEND so together WATER +PROOF = whisky bottled at a higher strength, that can handle water and it also tips its hat to mackintosh with its plastic 91.6 proof tag on the bottle – clever!
A product of MacDuff International (Islay Mist, Lauders & Grand Macnish ) WATERPROOF is its new blended malt released this year. In addition to traditional bourbon oak, sherry casks add a balanced influence, bottled at higher than normal strength (45.8%) the whisky contains mainland malts ranging in eight years between its youngest and oldest. It’s been suggested that it’s made from five malts with the predominant mix being 14 and 13 year old whiskies. Their website has five descriptors, of fruit sweetness, sherry, complexity, balanced and long lasting so the only way to see if it was accurate was to give it ‘a proper go’
On the nose – sweet sherry, honey aromas mix with brown sugar and dried fruits. Hints of caramel and a subtle reminder of pear drops are evident.
To taste (or on the palate for you posh types) – Sherry, dried fruits, quite creamy with vanilla and nutmeg and a hint of spice. There is a slight Smokey taste that I didn’t find evident on the nose. Nice finish and surprisingly drinkable. A drop of water exaggerates the dried fruit flavours but I’m not sure it needs the addition.
Overall – a balanced sherry style blend that holds its own. Most probably pitched at the cocktail market, it’s worth another look for those that only sampled it. It’s priced at £33.45 so for me, and as it’s a blend, I’d probably choose to spend my money on something else but having said that don’t rule it out. It’s a nice wee dram, remember first impressions can be deceiving!
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