Glen Garioch 1999 Sherry Cask

Nose

Heavy and sweet - stolen with extra raisins, rich PX sherry, heavy fruitcake, cinnamon and clove, black liquorice and a background of leather and balsamic sourness. There is a touch of struck match, but it adds to the experience rather than detracts.

Palate

Bitter char and stewed plums to start, with apple skin tannins, Eccles cakes insides, cloves, malt loaf, bitter black liquorice and a bit of damp wood.

Finish

Liquorice, menthol hints, damp bark, forest floor rancio, dried apple and lingering fruit cake with burnt raisins.

Comment

A great heavily sherried dram, with orchard fruit pushing past the sherry influence, without reducing it any.

Full-bodied and intensely sherried with a syrupy mouth coating texture.

Treacle toffee, chocolate and maple syrup soak into the palate, carrying the tingly warmth of nutmeg and ginger spices, tangy orange marmalade and dates, leading to a long, deep finish of raisins, caramelised toffee and liquorice.