No messing for this 12 year old Morlach – just a refill ex-bourbon barrel since October of 2005. Spicy & Dry profile.
Nose: Defined and pronounced fudge with a salted caramel sauce – an exceptionally enticing start. These aromas are supported by deep underlying earthiness and herbalness – mosses and wet leaves with crisp kale and chopped herbs. In the background, buttered toast and poached pears. The addition of water might make one think twice about some sherry influence going on here – chocolate, coffee grounds and walnuts are all expressed – but, nope, just ex-bourbon in play here. Nifty.
Taste: Fruitier on the palate with an arrival of an oily mix of redcurrants, apricots and poached pears. Part reduced and jammy, part bright, fresh and dusted in sugar powder. In the mid palate, this whisky develops deep earthiness with chilli chocolate and cinnamon spice as well as some slightly umami flavours – water biscuits and cream crackers. Reduction results in smooth juicy fruitiness – tinned peaches with a scattering of red berries.
Finish: Medium with touches of vanilla pastry, wets soils and a lovely progressive fade.
These’s very little beastliness about this Dufftown whisky – it’s simply a solid, fruit-forward whisky that’s been casked perfectly to allow the nature weight of the spirit to shine. Good stuff.