An 18 year old Glenlivet that’s been matured in a refill ex-bourbon barrel for 18 years. And depending on where you shop not all that more expensive than the official bottling – but delivered with a substantially higher ABV.
Nose: Fresh and crisp with clean cotton sheets, pressed laundry and spring flowers – daisy’s, buttercups and rose petals. Strawberry sorbet is served alongside fluffy meringue whilst a Finger of Fudge (just enough) sits with hay bales and freshly mowed grass. Dilution offers planed oak alongside mint humbugs, lemon bon bons and orange peels.
Taste: Apricots and peaches are served with more meringue whilst freshly cropped strawberries are dolloped with whipped cream. The mid-palate offers light toffee and a building (but controlled) pepperiness that sits alongside cranberry jelly – before continued development introduces charred oak, sugar-dusted cereals, grapes and gooseberries. Reduction offers buttered bread, sharp and tart lemon juice and additional peppery asides.
Finish: Medium, cream and mint leaf join declining ground pepper.
Part precise and snappy, part indulgent, fruity and creamy. All work nicely in equilibrium alongside a tangible oak-driven spiciness that never out stays its welcome.