Wee Broon Electric Coo 7yo
LBD, Stirk Bros, Watt Whisky Blended Malt | 58.8% ABV
Score: 8/10
Something special.
TL;DR
I should’ve bought that other one
Waiting for Karma
I recently found myself in conversation with a mutual friend; the classic light-hearted, chitty-chat you make with your partner's friend's partner.
After the usual natter about weather, football and what jobs we do (I do miss the days where you just asked what your favourite dinosaur was) I discovered that he was already forewarned that I was “mad about whisky”.
While this is far from the phrasing I would use, it is hard to argue; especially as I sit here in my whisky space, sipping whisky, writing about whisky, on my designated whisky night. After a couple of minutes of me explaining what was on my whisky shopping list, I heard the phrase “yeah… I only drink single malts”.
Of Course this sent a shiver down my creaking spine. With inspired fire in my belly, I hoped to encourage some further exploration in his whisky journey, reeling off the delights of Compass Box, Douglas Laing and Turntable, though after a couple of minutes I knew it was falling on deaf ears. And anyway, I didn’t want to over-preach on this first meeting. Though next time - I’m coming prepared!
This got me thinking though, while he is more than allowed to hold his view on single malts, are blended malts my own personal preferred choice? For me, does a mix of malts produce as good a spirit, if not better, at an often much lower price point?
You only have to look at the OSWA nominations in the Best Blended Malt category with the highlights of Campbeltown Loch, Thompson Bros 8yo North Highland as well as the two Douglas Laing regional malts that were nominated in 2023. These, far from being a tier below the single malts nominated throughout the awards, are actually held in higher regard by yours truly.
Which is perhaps why I was so drawn to this mash-up, super-crossover extravaganza. Firstly, it’s worth noting the similarities to the previously mentioned Campbeltown Loch as, at a glance, they’re quite close. Both being a blend of Campbeltown malts and fully naturally presented, as well as an influence from bourbon and sherry barrels, and both offering a wonderful spotlight on the amazing whisky coming out of Campbeltown. It is hard to not gush over the region, though I’ll do my best to avoid waxing lyrical about Scotland’s famous “Wee Toon” of whisky. it’s almost become clichéd in its praise, but with these two we do need to point out the phenomenal value for the quality of the liquid that pours from both.
Though the reason why the Wee Broon Electric Coo stands out, for me, isn’t just the cask-strength, flavour-bursting presentation, it’s the unique story behind it. It’s the product of three different independent bottlers joining together to form a supergroup, the likes of which One Direction or McBusted couldn’t attempt to rival.
Little Brown Dog, Stirk Brothers and Watt Whisky walk into Campbeltown…I don’t really have a funny punchline to be honest, but it’s no joke; this blended malt is produced with components from all current Campbeltown distilleries. The name is a hybrid representing each member: Wee Broon for Little Brown Dog, Electric for Watt Whisky and Coo for Stirk Brothers.
It features a truly stunning label - which I’ll inevitably attempt to peel off and keep, but almost certainly fail miserably like every other time I’ve attempted that - which showcases the beautiful scenery of the Kintyre Peninsula with a highland cow-emblazoned road sign at its forefront. I feel this is the closest we will get back to those Glen Scotia disco cow bottles. And we can’t overlook the road sign label on the back which proudly states “non chill filtered - natural colour - cask strength”. Great directions for any release to follow.
The age statement subtly parades aged 7 years amongst the delightful illustrated foliage, although they provide further transparency on the Little Brown Dog Spirits website with a breakdown of the inside liquid:
Glen Scotia 7 year old first fill bourbon barrels
Glen Scotia 8 year old first fill bourbon barrels
Kilkerran 16 year old refill hogshead
Springbank 12 year old refill sherry
Springbank 21 year old refill sherry
While we have no idea of the actual ratios involved, it’s far from a “teaspooned” Glen Scotia; this Campbeltown malt has some seriously hefty stock in the mix. Respect for them for having the stones to take these individual components and risk them to a blend. So, with this healthy hybrid of liquid gold, surely it will be beyond a dent in the purse strings?
I paid £55. That is not a typo, the same price as a Glenlivet 15, Glenfarclas 12 or even a Jura Seven Wood. For cask strength, Campbeltown malt whisky.
Though as I finish this glowing introduction, my heart is heavy. Reaching for my second glass of the night I note the fill level moving surprisingly fast, despite this feeling like a slow-pace drinker. Only 525 bottles were released globally and it’s since sold out everywhere. I’m beyond elated to have it sitting on my shelf but still, I find myself wanting. Perhaps a product of my own idea of benevolence…
After a rare visit to one of the The Whisky Exchange shops in London, surrounded by some newly acquainted good whisky folk, two more of these bottles sat on their shelf. While others only had eyes for the Springbank 10, my gaze could not stop locking on to that magnificent lightning cow. A friend quickly grabbed one, leaving just a lonely single coo calling my name. My love for this dram already established, I reached to grab it, before a twinge of empathy froze my arm. I’m more than lucky enough to have one already, so I decided to give someone else a chance to enjoy the experience.
So to you, the person who purchased that last bottle. I hope you enjoy it as much as I am. Cheers in spirit.
Review
Wee Broon Electric Coo, Blended Campbeltown malt whisky, Released for the 2024 Campbeltown Malts Festival, Cask strength, 58.8% ABV
£55 paid
Score: 8/10
Something special.
TL;DR
I should’ve bought that other one
Nose
Butter popcorn right off the bat, with a trio of multi-pack jam tarts: strawberry, raspberry and lemon. A unique aroma which takes me back to a countryside bus depot where my uncle worked while I was growing up: a mix of oily rags, farmyard aromas and red diesel. Lots of fresh fruit rising up with honeydew melon and tinned peaches too, this nose has it all.
Palate
The texture is chewy, rich yet somehow still silky like a high-end marmalade. While the high abv is present, it doesn’t overpower. A firm handshake instead of a slap in the chops.
Tinned peaches that have been left to sit in the musty bunker of a doomsday prepper, with that Scotia grounded pepper I always find kicking in with each mouthful. The peat rears its head after a few sips but smoothly integrates with the rest of the bombastic flavours. An almost cheesy note starts to build with a waxy tint throwing me back to the first time trying a Babybel. My brothers convinced me that the red wax outer red layer was edible. It isn’t.
The finish hangs on for an age and just makes me want to pour another. Marmite and butter on brown toast through to sweet, tangy oranges, it just has everything I was looking for.
The Dregs
Could a whisky with such stock in the bottle ever be greater than a sum of its parts? Yes. For me, who has openly admitted to being bit on the fence about Springbank (though I love their ethos so you can lower the pitchforks) this shocking blend highlights how stunning blended malts can be.
Toss aside your notions that the ‘B-word’ means inferior, get that Compass Box, that Turntable, that Campbeltown Loch and if you ever get a chance to grab this, I implore you to give them a try.
Just make sure there is another one for me.
Score: 8/10
Tried this? Share your thoughts in the comments below. GG
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