Not liking it is one thing, and I totally respect that as we all experience whisky differently and prefer different tastes, but I have to ask… when and why were you drinking paint thinner as a comparison? That sounds quite dangerous… This cookie is set by Rubicon Project to control synchronization of user identification and exchange of user data between various ad services. Thanks for your comment, although I have to disagree with you on the flavour and the look of the bottle, both – in my opinion – are great and have achieved so much to gain attention and consumer engagement that they cannot be seen as anything other than a success. The deep blue glass has great shelf stand out and evokes images of aftershave bottles of yesteryear as well as the copper finished stopper which, with some weight to it, is iconic in its own right.

In 1829 John Haig installed the patent still at Cameronbridge, which his cousin Robert Stein had invented, although no sooner had Aeneas Coffey created his own improved version of the patent still, John installed one of those too.Diageo confirmed that the launch of the luxury expression before Clubman was to establish ‘the premium quality credentials for this category’, but that ‘the time is right’ to introduce a new edition. You will find the current Haig Club whisky range available from specialist whisky shops worldwide such as Ronan Beirne, global marketing director for Haig Club, said: ‘Clubman aligns with our long-term ambition to offer a stable of Haig Club expressions at various price points to match different occasions and consumer tastes.’

Its overall texture is quite light but it does have an oily property. However, it’s still a very young blend. Its opening reveals the same Williams pear notes as experienced in the nose alongside some chewy brine and aromatic bay leaf. The inspiration for the new expression’s name has been taken from advertising materials for Haig in the 1920s, in which the brand was described as ‘The Clubman’s Whisky’. Although marketed as a sweet whisky, I actually found this expression to be quite salty and even sour in terms of its primary flavours. Admittedly, this actually wasn’t unpleasant and I imagine that it would mix well with something fruity. Indeed, I’m already thinking of mixers as this isn’t realistically a libation that most would consider sipping neat. Nevertheless, it’s not as unpleasant as some whisky enthusiasts say. In fact, I’d even say that it’s been treated unfairly by those who put it up against decade-old single malts. In 1865 John Haig formed an alliance with eight other grain distillers, which in 1877 became known as the Distillers Company Ltd. (DCL). Eventually, following many mergers, DCL evolved into Diageo.Behind its sharp tingle, there were some unexpected notes that I quite enjoyed. For instance, the coconut and Williams pear were quite a surprise. Meanwhile, the butterscotch and toffee, while somewhat flat, weren’t unpleasant to take in. Perhaps it sounds somewhat absurd but I would consider this to be something of a dessert whisky. Indeed, its brine and sour profile would contrast well against sweet dishes. Being somewhat bracing without being overly citrus, it would go wonderfully with a lemon meringue pie. Ewan Gunn, Diageo global whisky master, said the expression would appeal to both Scotch fans and newcomers alike.

Haig Club Clubman is a single grain whisky from Cameronbridge distillery, created by master distiller and blender Chris Clark from liquidmatured in ex-Bourboncasks,and isdesigned to drink with cola. After a short while, you would be able to big up some creamier sweet notes of crème brûlée and toffee. However, it seems like the bay leaf note persists right up until the finish.

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and we even have our own single grain release that I’m sure you’ll love (most people who have tried it have…) –

From its earliest days, Scotch whisky has attracted people from all over the world with its sophistication, style and distinctive array of flavours. We want to continue in this spirit, bringing to market a special new whisky and introducing new fans to this incredible industry.’ Then the design, which is a beautiful aspect of this whisky, something that tells me Diageo are talking only to style of substance and doing so very deliberately, and are speaking directly to the inner needs of Millennial gin and vodka consumers – not whisky drinkers, which is definitely an interesting way to go for the brand and portfolio’s recruitment drive.

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The first thing that you’ll notice with Clubman is its almost straw-coloured hue, which I would liken more to a lager or pale ale beer. Swirling my Peugeot whisky glass, I noticed that the legs were quite thin but slower than expected when running down the sides. I actually quite fond of how Haig Club has been presented. Its tall, rectangular bottle is bold yet understated with simple lettering. Meanwhile, the geometric ridges on the side help you keep a firm grip when you’ve had a few too many. Overall, the bottle is actually somewhat reminiscent of gin rather than whisky.