Review of Jim Murray's Òran Blends Nos. 1 & 2 Scotch Whiskies

 

Have you heard of Jim Murray? He’s the man behind the annual release of Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible, which is probably the most well-read catalog of what he and his team have tasted for a year. You may not know he has also been a blender for various distilleries worldwide. What I’m trying to say is that he's got street cred.

 

Some things Jim and I agree with. Others, not so much. One of the things we’re on the same page about is blended Scotch whisky. As I’ve said for many years, blending is an art form. The question is always, Is the artist talented? Here’s his take:

 

“There is a temptation to disregard blended Scotch in this time of single malt, yet the blend of grain whisky and malt is a creation which offers myriad possibilities. The objective in the creation of Òran is to offer delicate complexity and finely tuned balance. I believe we have achieved that in the first two releases, and we look forward to creating additional bends in the future which showcase the same attributes.” – Jim Murray

 

He mentioned “the first two releases,” referring to Òran, a blended Scotch produced by The Perfect Fifth. Òran means “song” in Gaelic. The Perfect Fifth is an American independent bottler known for selecting ultra-premium, single-cask Scotches.

 

Jim used techniques dating back about 100 years to create the blends. He calls it old school. Between the two releases, 11 casks of individual malt and grain whiskies were involved. Blend No. 1 was aged exclusively in former Bourbon barrels. Blend No. 2 included the whiskies aged in Bourbon barrels plus those matured in former Sherry casks.

The whiskies in this blend are:

• 21-year single grain
• 34-year single grain
• 18-year Pulteney
• 12-year Ardmore (two casks involved)
• 12-year Miltonduff
• 13-year Tamnavulin
• 24-year Glen Grant
• 16-year Orkney

 

Each blend is created using a 50-50-50 methodology: 50% grain whisky, 50% malt whisky, and 50% ABV (100°). Blend No. 1 and 2 have limited distribution to New York, New Jersey, and California and can be acquired from its website. Each comes with a suggested retail price of $199.99 for a 700ml package. The yield was 465 bottles of each blend.

 

Before I get to this blended Scotch adventure, I must thank The Perfect Fifth for providing me with samples in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest reviews. Let’s #DrinkCurious.

 

Blend No. 1

50-50 blend of malt and grain whiskies aged in ex-Bourbon barrels

 

Appearance: I poured this whisky neat into my Glencairn glass. The liquid’s color was that of straw. The medium-thin rim retained droplets; at the same time, thick, wavy legs fell back into the pool.

 

Nose: I smelled lemon curd, vanilla custard, a barely-there whisp of smoke, and sweet apples. Pulling that air through my lips offered what I could swear was fresh apple pie – crust and all.

 

Palate: Blend No. 1 possessed a velvety, dense mouthfeel. I tasted vanilla, sweet apples, and pears on the front of my palate. Next were raw almonds, cocoa, and orange zest at mid-palate, followed by white pepper, cinnamon, and oak spice.  

 

Finish: This whisky had a finish that lasted for eons, with oak spice, white pepper, and non-peaty smoke.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Òran Blend No. 1 was perfectly proofed. It had various layers of flavors that melted into one another. Is it a $200 whisky? It was an impressive pour, worth picking up a Bottle if you see it on a shelf.

 

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Blend No. 2

50-50 blend of malt and grain whiskies aged in ex-Bourbon barrels and former Sherry casks

 

 

Appearance: I poured this whisky neat into my Glencairn glass. The liquid’s color was that of straw, just a shade darker than Blend No. 1. The medium rim that formed generated a curtain of thick, fast tears.

 

Nose: Blend No. 2’s aroma consisted of cinnamon raisin pudding, grass, that light whisp of smoke found in Blend No. 1, and vanilla. Lemon and raisin flowed across my tongue as I inhaled the vapor through my lips.

 

Palate: The mouthfeel of Blend No. 2 was creamy but less dense than its counterpart. On the front, flavors of honeydew and vanilla were easily identified. The middle featured tastes of spiced nuts and had a grassy quality. Cinnamon sticks, black pepper, and oak were on the back.  

 

Finish: The Energizer Bunny finish left my tongue slightly tingling. What remained included oak tannins, black pepper, spiced nuts, smoke, and bold cinnamon. They hung around for several minutes.  

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: I love sherry-oaked Scotch whiskies. The finish was incredibly long, allowing me to savor the flavors and make the pour last between sips. The nose and palate left me a bit wanting. It is a good blend; was it terrific? I can’t see paying the $200.00 premium it commands, and as such, it earns my Bar rating.

 

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Final Thoughts: Blend No. 1 had a superior nosing experience, which was unexpected as I love sherry-influenced Scotches. Its texture was enchanting, and I enjoyed the sweeter flavors. The finish on Blend No. 2 was delightful; I loved its spiciness and how long it lasted. Between the two, Blend No. 1 wins this head-to-head competition. Cheers!

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs you to do so responsibly.