Turntable is an new blended Scotch whisky brand by Ally and Gordon Stevenson brothers. They aim to utilize their 20+ years of experience and to help broaden and deepen the appeal of the arka of blending. After their first limited edition releases earlier this year (and it’s success), Turntable has unveiled three core expressions. New expressions are retaining the musical theme of their predecessors and comprising 3 bottles, Paradise Funk, Smokin’ Riff and Bittersweet Symphony.
All three blends are natural colour, non-chill filtered and bottled at 46% ABV. Every whisky is left to marry for a asgarî of three months before bottling. Turntable kindly send my samples to try these interesting drams and I had a chance to taste all side by side. Here are my tasting notes:
Turntable Paradise Funk (Blended Scotch, 46%)
Turntable Paradise Funk is a combination of Knockdhu whisky matured in virgin barrels (13%), Benrinnes whisky matured in chinkapin barrel (20%), Invergordon whisky matured in ex-cognac barrel (8%), North British grain whisky aged in virgin oak barrel and an unnamed Speyside whisky matured in virgin oak barrel. It’s bottled at 46% abv with natural colour and non-chill filtered.
Nose: Starts quite “funky” with exotic fruits. Pineapple, mango, mandarin, pear aromas are followed by toffee and hints of oak.
Palate: Similar with the nose it’s fruity and juicy. Roasted pineapple, lemon, pear and caramel notes are accompanied by orange peel and black pepper.
Finish: A medium-long finish with citrus and black pepper.
Rating: 84
Price at the time of tasting: £52.95
Turntable Bittersweet Symphony (Blended Scotch, 46%)
Turntable Bittersweet Symphony is a combination of Craigellachie whisky matured in a PX puncheon (22% of the blend) and an oloroso butt (21%), as well as Blair Athol aged in virgin oak casks (17%) and Balmenach single malt, matured in a PX puncheon (21%). The grain component comes from North British Distillery, with 19% of the blend being single grain aged in virgin oak barrels. It’s bottled at 46% abv with natural colour and non-chill filtered.
Nose: Starts with dried fruits, maraschino cherry, apple candy, toffee and oak. Reminds me an Old Fashioned cocktail made with rye whiskey. With some aeration in glass notes of cappuccino and malt appears.
Palate: Dry fruits, apple, caramel, malt and oak notes are followed by cinnamon, ginger and orange peel. It’s truly “bittersweet”. Full-bodied.
Finish: A medium and dry finish with more dried fruits, orange peel and spices.
Rating: 83
Price at the time of tasting: £52.95 – Available on Master of Malt
Turntable Smokin’ Riff (Blended Scotch, 46%)
Turntable Smokin’ Riff combines a North British single grain aged in virgin oak barrels (28% of the blend) with Craigellachie and Knockdhu single malt matured in PX puncheons (24% and 21%, respectively) as well as the peaty power of Caol Ila. One Islay single malt aged in bourbon oak barrels (18%) and the other in red wine barrels (9%). This one is also bottled at 46% abv with natural colour and non-chill filtered like other two expressions.
Nose: Starts quite smoky, but quickly evolve to a sweeter character with raisin, lemon, cinnamon and hints of salt. Robust and signals a full-bodied character on the palate.
Palate: Quite smooth and velvety with smoke, dried fruits, cherries, orange and toffee. A little salt and medicinal notes at the back.
Finish: A dry, smoky and salty long finish with a little fruitiness.
Rating: 84
Price at the time of tasting: £52.95 – Available on Master of Malt
In general, I could easily say I very much enjoyed these 3 expressions from Turntable. It’s clearly seen they put so much work to create these blends, not to mention their beautiful branding. Each name raises an expectation before taste and after the tasting you realise why they choose these specific names. Especially, Paradise Funk is definitely a funky whisky. It’s normally a term that is use for Jamaican rums, but you’ll agree with me when you taste it. Complex and well-balanced flavours, good texture, good stuff!
