King's Ransom 12, Ceramic Decanter, 75.2 proof.

King's Ransom is one of the products from real life character William Whiteley, "friend" of US mafia boss Frank Costello. Supposedly WW was smuggling King's Ransom into the US during Prohibition, making it a popular blend. At the end of Prohibition, WW bought the Edradour distillery, probably because it was cheap (£1,050) and had the geographical characterstics of shadiness, perhaps something WW was accustomed to or could relate to. King's Ransom became famous for being found in a shipwreck, the SS Politician; the inspiration for the book and movie "Whisky Galore". After WW's passing, everything went downhill, with speculation of Frank Costello trying to take over. In 1982, Campbell Distillers of Pernod Ricard bought the King's Ransom brand, along with others, but was later discontinued. Edradour would eventually be acquired by Signatory. This Round the World bottling is supposedly from the 1950's and uses Edradour as a key/main malt.

Nose: light, initially like old pork belly which dissipates with time, hints of vanilla that gets stronger with time, brown sugar.

Palate: initial palate is light, similar to old white grape juice, everything is on the back palate which has an interesting flavor akin to soy sauce without the saltiness, treated wood chips, bosc pear peels. I keep thinking cooking sauces.

Finish: medium, chemicaly treated wood, smoked wood chips.

It's a very interesting blend, hard to describe what I experienced. I feel the beginning is a light dram with a strange flavor profile that is more akin to cooking sauces and powders, then finishes like a moderately built grain.

Grade: C+

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Image courtesy of Eric Yee.

Eric Yee

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