Royal Salute 50 Year Old Coronation Cask

n24 Extremely fine strands of bourbon with suet pudding and diced apples making way for more intense raisins as the whisky warms and oxidises; just a shading of something peaty plus some earthy farmyardy-zooey aromas. But it's all rather fantastic and supremely balanced.

t24 Surprisingly peppery attack from the off with some very early smoke. But it's the mouthfeel that shines - no, glows! - enveloping and swamping every crevice with spiced fruit demonstrating exemplary composure. This is rich yet has enough bite and thrust to show shape and character. Astonishing for its age. Where the hell is the oak? Where are the cracks? Nature-defying stuff.

f22 Only short to medium length but sweet and genuinely barley rich with perhaps a hint of silky grain. Crisp and almost too clean to be true.

b25 A decade ago I tasted the Royal Salute 40 Years Old. It was probably the finest blend I had ever tasted. Now they have the 50 year-old. And it has ripped up and laughed at every rule in the book: finish apart, it has just got better and better. The most extraordinary thing here is the oak involvement. At 50 years you should be picking it out of your teeth. Not here. Instead, after its appearance on the wonderful nose, it all but vanished. Instead we are left to deal with an essay in balance...a blended whisky showing this degree of balance and elan is truly priceless.

Overall: 95 points

Nose

Rich sweet fruity aromas are balanced with a deep floral oakiness and a soft smoky nuttiness.

Taste

Full sweet floral and fruity raisin flavours enhanced with a smoky sweetness and nutty oakiness.

Finish

Deep and sumptuous with a warm sweet fruitiness and dry smokiness. Unrivalled Excellence.