A refill barrel and a refill hogshead have been combined to create Whisky Sponge Edition 62. The product listing indicates a real differential between the profiles of these two casks, with the 1991 barrel being softer and more extractive and the 1993 hogshead being fresher and tarter – the amalgamation undertaken to achieve both balance – but hopefully still showcasing both original characters.
Only 314 bottles at 51.9% emerged from the union of two casks. You’ll still find 1 remaining with the fine folks at Tyndrum Whisky.
Nose: Apricot flan, orange barley water (very Lucozade-like) and pumpkin pie kick off a well-defined nose. Then it’s deeper into yet more fruits with orchards (primarily pear) and peach cobbler joined by pressed flowers and honey sweetened porridge. Reduction amps up the floral aspect with fallen blossoms together with puffy pastry and sunflower oil.
Taste: *Very* tropical. Pineapple chunks, mango slices, blood orange and white grapes offer a medley of pulsating fruitiness. Gummy bears (white and yellow ones) and golden syrup continue the sweetness, whilst being tempered by kitchen herbs, natural waxiness and touches of ripe, freshly harvested cereals.
Finish: Medium to long with sweet fruits gradually souring and an afternoon tea party of slices and cupcakes.
Certainly into fruit-bomb territory here with a packed ensemble of lively well-honed, distillate forward notes that have been very ably nurtured by a compassionate refill cask. After nearly three decades this has not lost a jot of vitality.