Asta Morris IB has been imported to Locally for some time (israel) and it’s time to try some of their lovely casks…
some info about this IB from Belgium:
Bert Bruyneel is the founder of Asta Morris, an independent bottler in Belgium. Although Bert is a passionate whisky lover for over 20 years, he started his career as the fifth generation in his family business in the meat processing industry.
After his very first drink, which was a Jack Daniels single barrel back in 1994, lightning struck. Bert’s interest in whisky grew day by day and, alongside his family business, he founded the Wee Dram Whisky Society in Belgium in 1999. His dedication to whisky was widely recognized and becoming a Malt Maniac was a natural fit.
In 2009, with encouragement from friends, Bert founded Asta Morris. Bert’s initial contribution was in the form of articles for various whisky magazines and hosting tastings and masterclasses. During the second year, Asta Morris presented its first bottling, a Glenlivet 1977/2010, followed by an official bottling of Benriach 1978 and 1975 ‘for Asta Morris’. In this series a 1977, 1979 and 1983 would follow, thanks to an old personal friendship with Billy Walker.
A nice and quite intersting Benriach 2008 aged in Ex-Bourbon & Foursquare 2005 casks belonging to Rasta Morris (the sister company that does IB for Rums).
BenRiach 2008 Asta Morris , 52% , ~€ 70
Nose: Quite deep and lovely, with some unripe banana and spices: some cinnamon, maybe a hint of ginger and nice rummy notes as well in addition to ripe oranges and maybe berries. quite fragrant, and fresh.
Palate: Spice and sweet on entry, with quite a bit of Rum influence over here, with nice fruity touches of orange, apricot, and green plum in addition to sweet vanilla and toffee, lovely sweetness over here.
Finish : spice, oak, more fruit, quite dry.
Conclusion : I’ve had better BenRiachs but this one’s pretty nice too, and has a big Rum feeling to it, if you dig FourSquare Rums then you’re in for a lovely time. Rum and whisky lovers, you’ll appreciate this one.