Mystery blended malt that’s been matured in a sherry butt for the best part of two decades. Rather good value at £79.95 from TWE.
Nose: Rich and pronounced with stewed apples, hedgerow berries and a selection of fresh and dried orange fruits – mandarins and tangerines. Chocolate runs throughout and is joined by cinnamon and nutmeg sprinkled over fruit loaf with a glass of warmed milk served alongside. Dilution expresses chamois and cloth with dusty ginger spicing, beeswax and Kit Kat bars.
Taste: Gentle, but slick and mouthcoating. Brown sugars and reduced, tangy fruit preserves are joined by orange liqueurs and plenty of tobacco leaves. Leather seat covers and polished mahogany sit with powdered chocolate and creamy toffee sauce whilst earthiness and hot house vines lurk in the background. Reduction isn’t needed, nor advised – it adds orchard fruits together with orange peels but diminishes both the brightness and richness of the whisky. 44.9% is where it’s at.
Finish: Quite long with pleasantly fading tobacco, jammy fruits and chocolate.
The worryingly quaffable one. A bottle of this mystery blended malt is unlikely to last long - fruit-packed sherry goodness set against rich chocolatier and spice merchant notes - a winning combination.