Tasting Notes

• Tasting Notes by Billy A

  Nose: Rich, thick and spicy, with lardy cake, stewed raisins, plums and apples topped with blackcurrant jam and a dusting of nutmeg and cinnamon. Lighter notes of brown sugar and sweet cream sherry appear with some time in the glass, as well as burnt toast and singed raisins.

  Palate: Lighter than expected, but still thick with sherry character. It seesaws between bittersweet caramel and burnt raisins, and sweet sherry, fruity chocolate and plump raisins. As it settles down, fruit cake notes build, with nutmeg, clove and liquorice hints.

  Finish: Round and spicy, with stewed apples and raisins.

  Comment: From the nose you might expect a sherry monster, but this whisky is much more subtle and refined, although it is a bit of a beast. Packed with fruit and spice, it's a perfect whisky for the closing months of the year.
  

• Producer's Tasting Notes

  Colour: Amber.

  Nose: Sweet spice; caraway seeds, cinnamon and buttered rum fill the glass. Warm, dark chocolate sauce with salted caramel and dried fruits; prunes and raisins.

  Palate: Liquor-soaked sultanas, plump, rich and juicy. A dark treacle sweetness with star anise, black peppercorns and a touch of wood smoke.

  Finish: Soft and lingering with warm winter spices – navel oranges studded with cloves.