Scotch

Scotch Whisky Review: Lindores Abbey The Friar John Cor – The Cask Strength Congregation Batch – Chapter 2

The Lindores Abbey Cask Strength Congregation Batch commemorates Friar John Cor, a Lindores monk who crafted ‘aqua vitae’ for King James IV in 1494; recognised as the first written record of scotch whisky.

OVERALL RATING

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Tasting Notes

About:

A limited-edition cask strength whisky from Lowland distillery, Lindores Abbey. The Cask Strength Congregation Batch commemorates Friar John Cor, a Lindores monk who crafted ‘aqua vitae’ for King James IV in 1494; recognised as the first written record of scotch whisky. The second edition of the Congregation Batch, Chapter 2 was matured in a combination of bourbon, STR wine barriques, and rum-peated casks. Bottled at 60.9% ABV.


Appearance:
Pale Straw
Nose:
On the nose, sweet caramel notes and roasted banana, giving way to apple, cinnamon, and vanilla. Balanced by waves of earthy peat.
Palate:
Spicy cinnamon and ginger open on the palate, giving way to a combination of orchard and tropical fruits including pears, roasted banana, and pineapple. The fruits fade before smoke and earthy peat, alongside maritime notes and sea salt. There’s also a hint of floral vanilla.
Finish:
A long warming and spicy finish lingers; with notes of oak, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, and chilli.
Comments:
Friar John Cor’s Congregation Batch Chapter 2 is definitely a young whisky, but there’s lots of well-layered complexity between fruits, spices, and peat notes. With tropical fruits and sooty peat, the influence of the peated-rum cask is the most discernible of the different cask influences. At 60% ABV, the whisky is surprisingly mild and delicate with the alcohol well-hidden for an easy drinking dram, although adding a few drops of water does accentuate the sweetness and tropical citrus notes.

Following on from Friar John Cor’s Congregation Batch Chapter 2, the next edition Chapter 3 is due to be released to UK retailers from late May 2025.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Mark Bostock

Mark Bostock, an integral part of the Mark Littler LTD UK content writing team since 2019, brings a genuine passion for whisky, especially independent bottlings, to his work. His commitment to expanding his knowledge through attending tasting events and building his own collection enriches his contributions, blending expertise with enthusiasm.

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