*Nc’nean Quiet Rebels Amy (2024) Single Malt Scotch Whisky Bottle. Photo credit: Nc’nean Distillery.*

From the brand - my tasting notes below.

Quiet Rebels Amy includes whisky finished in ex-Maury casks from a small organic vineyard in France who produce a fortified wine that is made in a similar way to port. The 60 year old vines are maintained with a variety of sustainable farming methods including agroforestry which involves integrating trees amongst the vines to improve soil richness. The farm also follows biodynamic principles such as following the lunar calendar which several studies show is an effective way to determine the best time to plant and harvest crops. These ex-Maury casks have been blended with Nc’nean’s house style STR red wine and Ex-Bourbon casks to create Amy’s dream bottling.

Pioneering organic Scotch whisky distillery Nc’nean is releasing a new limited edition whisky in the USA as part of their popular ‘Quiet Rebels’ series. Just 630 bottles of this creamy and moreish offering are available across the country, as part of a series which shines a light on Nc’nean’s small team of eco-conscious drinks fanatics who are on a mission to bring together a new generation of Scotch drinkers.

Casks for each bottling are selected by a new team member each year, giving employees the opportunity to release their very own whisky, with their name on the bottle and Nc’nean’s distinctive botanical covered gift tube.

This year’s Quiet Rebels release is the fourth in the series, with Nc’nean’s Head of Sustainability, Amy, at the helm. It’s moreish, creamy and jammy, with flavours of lemon custard, damson jam and brown-butter muffins.

Amy began working at Nc’nean in 2017 as Visitor Manager, but she soon carved out a role as Head of Sustainability. It was Nc’nean’s commitment to sustainable production that sparked Amy’s initial interest in the distillery. Amy’s role now focuses on researching and reducing their carbon footprint, building relationships with their organic farmers, educating the team, visitors and stakeholders about all elements of sustainability and also working on net zero and B-corp credentials. Organic principles therefore form an integral part of Amy’s Quiet Rebels release.

Quiet Rebels Amy includes whisky finished in ex-Maury casks from a small organic vineyard in France who produce a fortified wine that is made in a similar way to port. The 60 year old vines are maintained with a variety of sustainable farming methods including agroforestry which involves integrating trees amongst the vines to improve soil richness. The farm also follows biodynamic principles such as following the lunar calendar which several studies show is an effective way to determine the best time to plant and harvest crops. These ex-Maury casks have been blended with Nc’nean’s house style STR red wine and Ex-Bourbon casks to create Amy’s dream bottling.

“Doing things as sustainably as possible is something that I think is really important, it’s why I wanted to work for Nc’nean and what I wanted to bring to my whisky. Our supply chains are a great platform to talk about sustainability so I wanted to find barrels from a vineyard that is doing great things for the land just like the farmers that grow our barley”. Amy Stammers, Head of Sustainability at Nc’nean.

Nc’nean’s Quiet Rebels series has gained strong popularity nationally and internationally for the unique concept behind the series. By creating whisky that is selected and named after their own team members, the majority of whom are new to working in the whisky industry, Nc’nean is promoting the idea that there is a whisky out there for everyone and celebrating the diverse range of people that work in the whisky industry.

Quiet Rebels Amy will be available to shop for home delivery across 44 states in America via ncnean.com plus in liquor stores in 25 states. For information on retailers in each state, please email Nc’nean’s importer office@impexbev.com.

There are 10,132 bottles available globally, with 630 in the US.

Thank you to Nc’nean for providing this sample free of charge. All opinions are my own.

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Nc’nean Quiet Rebels Amy (2024) Single Malt Scotch Whisky: Specs

Classification: Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Producer: Nc’nean Distillery

Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley

Proof: 97º (48.5% ABV)

Age: NAS

Location: Scotland

Cask Mix: 63% STR ex-Red Wine, 19% ex-Maury, 18% ex-Bourbon

Nc’nean Quiet Rebels Amy (2024) Single Malt Scotch Whisky Price: $110

Official Website

Nc’nean Quiet Rebels Amy (2024) Single Malt Scotch Whisky: Tasting Notes

Eye: Coppered gold. Thin sloughing rims, thin legs and tiny drops.

Nose: White grapes, slightly tart but mostly sweet fortified wine. Pink lemonade made with a mild raspberry note that I quite enjoy. Caramelized grassiness (if that’s a thing), unique and refreshing.

Palate: Stronger tip of the tongue pepper hit than expected, heat rolling to the sides of my tongue rather than pooling. Apples, fresh and caramelizing tarte tatin, holding a sweet-tart balance beautifully. Light vanilla in the background and a touch of barrel astringency. Mouthfeel is deceptively coating and oily. Medium to full bodied, moderate proof on the upper palate, clove and nutmeg and pepper build.

Finish: Whisky-spiked custard, not as sweet as the nose, nicely coating with an oily lacquer. Medium length, dried apples dusted in cinnamon, sweetness kept in check by baking spice and light astringency.

Overall: Might even be more apple orchard-y than the Hungress! Nose suggested a sweet white wine, then the palate and finish brought apples fresh and baked with baking spice, the barrel lending body and pepper notes while the whisky remains the star. Great oily mouthfeel. Another banger from Nc’nean.

Final Rating: 8.2

10 | Insurpassable | Nothing Else Comes Close

9 | Incredible | Extraordinary

8 | Excellent | Exceptional

7 | Great | Well above average

6 | Very Good | Better than average

5 | Good | Good, solid, ordinary

4 | Has promise but needs work

1-3 | Let’s have a conversation