Distilleries are rarely a single expression. One of my favourite things to do when researching deeper is to start a whiskey tasting collection and explore the similarities and differences between them each of the whiskies from the same distillery. If you really want to taste and understand the influence of the cask finishing on a whiskey for example, pick up a couple of different whiskies from the same distillery (as pictured above from Tullibardine).
While there are some similarities amongst the 225 and the 228, the finishing with Sauternes and Burgundy casks makes these scotches really different. During my time with these scotches, I wasn’t focused on whether I liked one over the other, but rather studying and understanding the differences between them, and the role played by the finishing casks.
I like this method of comparison. It’s a better way of doing a comparative analysis. I can give you many scotches that all boast the same cask finishing and have the same nose and tasting notes, but they all have unique flavours and colours. The net time you search for ‘whiskey tasting near me’, ask if they do these types of tastings.
Tullibardine used the same styling and methods for making both of these scotches, so it allowed me to eliminate some notes that are found when comparing different distilleries. Now I could really concentrate on the cask finishing characteristics.
Scotch is complex. There are so many things to discover. But if you are a student of whiskey, as I am, I encourage you to pick yourself up a whiskey family and do a comparative analysis.
Pour a sample of each, taste one, then the other and concentrate on the differences. Don’t worry about if you like one over the other, that can be done separately. Over time, you will then be able to recognize the differences. Additionally, you will also be able to weed through the cask finishing flavours and discover the common elements of a distillery. This will help to train your palette to recognize flavours even when other flavours are present.
Repeat this comparison a few times, See if you are readily recognize and identify the cask finishing.
It also allows you to build your whiskey tasting collection around some of your favourite distilleries!