Jon, Mark and Robbo’s - Easy Drinking Whisky Review

It’s funny isn’t it?
If you tell people that you need help, as you are going to do a tasting of three kinds of tripe, they head for the hills or they suddenly find they have forgotten something important.
However, when word gets out that you have three types of whisky to try...
...it’s a whole different story, amazingly people are only too happy to offer their help - invited or not!

I first came across this brand of blended whiskies at The Good Food Show, what first struck me was the no-nonsense attitude, the guys aren’t at all precious about their products. Instead they have a real zeal to interest people in drinking whisky, by producing an easy to understand range.
It's a great way to encourage people who might not usually drink Scotch, into giving it a try.
Especially when there are so many choices of both blended and single malts on the market, it can be confusing to the uninitiated.
The branding is not what you expect from the industry, no Scottish glens, stags or such on their labels, instead a simple illustration on the front and caricatures of the founders on the back, with a small tag on the neck which explains what to expect from the contents of the bottle. Good Mixers

The company was the idea of two brothers, Jon and Mark Geary, with David ‘Robbo’ Robinson, the Master Distiller at The Macallan.
They wanted to create some flavoursome whiskies that they and their friends would enjoy, but with a twist.
They decided to make a blend for each of their personal tastes, which is what they did.
Since then they have won many awards both in the UK and internationally, which proves they are heading in the right direction.

The flint glass bottles are attractive, with elegantly simple labels and wax dipped necks, which makes them look every bit the quality product they are. They are just asking to be opened so you can try them, and I did!

The Tasting!!

At my tasting there were many different views voiced about the whiskies, everyone had their own opinion on which was best.
The number of times I was asked if someone could just try that other one again, because they "just wanted to be sure..."
Some tried with ice, others with a mixer, but most tried them straight, they are not whiskies to be precious about, but simply to be enjoyed.
A couple of people were not whisky drinkers (so why were they there?), but with the addition of a few ice cubes and a little mixer (cola in one case and dry ginger in the other), I soon changed that!
Both were pleasantly surprised - one saying "I didn’t think it would taste like that!"
Naturally, everyone chose their own favourite, no winner was (or could have been) chosen, because each is a winner in it’s own category.
My personal choice?
That would depend entirely on my mood, each has something that appeals.
MBelow are my notes, followed by a couple of comments from other tasters.

The Whiskies

The Smooth Sweeter One

A blend of 70% single malt Scottish whisky and 30% single malt Irish whiskey, it has a light colour and a slightly green and citrus aroma with a hint of toffee and vanilla.
With a quite subtle, light flavour which makes it easy to enjoy, perfect with ice or for those who are new to whisky.
"Smooth, silky and fresh tasting."
"I’ve tasting something like this before - but not as nice."
The Rich Spicy One

The Rich Spicy One

A blend of malt whiskies (Glenrothes, Tamdhu, Highland Park and Bunnahabhain), matured in sherry casks to add depth of flavour.
It is golden in colour and indeed has a spicy aroma, with hints of dare I say Christmas cake, fruit, dried peel, honey, cloves...
Having a rich mouth filling flavour, with quite rich sherried oak note, suggestions of caramel, mellow fruit and spices.
"Why can’t other blends be this good?"
"Now I know what I want for Christmas!"
The Smokey Peaty One

The Smokey Peaty One

This blend is the most complex of the three containing Highland Park, Bunnahabhain, Ledaig, Bowmore, Caol Ila, Laphroaig whiskies.
Dark golden in colour, put your nose into the glass and it soon becomes apparent how it got its name!
Smoky, nutty, malty, earthy tones, are all bought to mind.
It does taste as described but not aggressively so, it has some quite grown-up flavours woven in to it.
"A great tasting drink of whisky."
"Can I have another?"

I am sure that when these products first came on the market that there was many a raised eyebrow in the industry and many mumblings, that you should treat the product with more reverence. I think the ‘whisky without the waffle’ approach is a perfect way to encourage new drinkers to sample whisky, as all you need to do is read the label to find out what’s in the bottle. I don’t think the rest of the industry need worry, because I am sure that once someone has the taste for ‘the water of life’, they will go on to sample other brands, though I would advise trying each of these first!

If I have one regret about doing a whisky tasting, it’s that it all gone!!!
I was looking forward to having some left for me to drink over Christmas, well at least everyone who tried it - enjoyed it!

Although not widely available (yet), there is a store locator on their website, you can also buy them online, which I suggest you do, as for around seventeen quid a bottle, I reckon you will be pleased with your purchase!

I recommend you have a look at their website, (it’s one of the nicest I’ve come across in a while) where you will find out much more and have a giggle at their quirky humour. Jon, Mark and Robbo

Click here to visit - Jon, Mark and Robbo’s Website

Jon, Mark and Robbo’s
Easy Drinking Whisky Company Ltd
Perthshire
Scotland
PH2 7XZ
Phone: 44 (0) 1738 493 677

Note: They are also looking for retailers to stock their product (it will sell itself).