Bunnahabhain Marriage 27 Year Old Single Malts of Scotland

Tasting notes by Billy Abbott, The Whisky Exchange

• Nose

  Vanilla pods, gummi sweets, salted caramel, pineapple cubes, hay and straw. Fruit follows, along with candy necklaces, meadow flowers, green apple skins and freshly-cut pears. Anise and menthol notes hide at the back.

• Palate

  Oatcakes and digestive biscuits to start, with sultana-studded shortbread biscuits following on behind. Pineapple, and apple and pear pie notes develop, topped with a pinch of white pepper spice. Citrus notes wash over the pie: lemon zest and fleshy oranges. There's a late appearance icing sugar sweetness over the top and a touch of cocoa and raisin underneath.

• Finish

  Hay, butter, caramel and gentle spice.

• Comment

  A perfect balance between Bunnahabhain's weighty, buttery spirit and long-aged fruity notes. The spice provides a contrast, but doesn't get too much.