Cask No. 2.88 $180
Cinderella weeping over matchmakers
Speyside, Spey
The nose presented rich, fruity, cakey sweetness – black bun, Christmas cake, treacle tart, ginger snaps and maple candy – along with some oak and vanilla notes. The palate was intensely sweet, with muscovado sugar, dark chocolate and treacle, but with an Indian spice trick up its sleeve (cumin, clove, sugar-coated fennel seeds) – then some ash, dry wood and coffee on the finish. The reduced nose contrasted hints of burnt tyres with assorted chocolate matchmakers (mint, orange, coffee). The palate now had ginger and chocolate sweet heat, while cinders and salt evoked a tearful Cinderella. The distillery had a major expansion in 2010.
Drinking tip: With coffee as an after dinner treat
Colour: Deep honeycomb
Cask: Refill hogshead
Age: 20 years
Date distilled: September 1993
Alcohol: 47.1%
USA allocation: 120 bottles
Cask No. 7.101 $105
Playing with Colours
Speyside, Lossie
To begin with all the aromas were white; chocolate, pepper, marshmallows, vanilla ice cream and natural yoghurt. Slowly colour was added; lemon and lime, bananas, strawberries as well as other fruits of the forest. The taste was hot and peppery, white chilli chocolate but at the same time sweet, fruity and sour like Haribo Tangfastics – quite an experience. With water the fizziness of a cream soda and carbonating fruits with dry ice appear alongside the creaminess of a pineapple milkshake and a key lime pie. The taste changed completely, extremely smooth like a dollop of rum and raisin ice cream with a hint of cinnamon.
Drinking tip: Enjoy the difference neat and with water
Colour: Winter sunshine
Cask: First-fill barrel
Age: 10 years
Date distilled: May 2003
Alcohol: 60.2%
USA allocation: 60 bottles
Cask No. 26.99 $185
The Fisherman’s Friend
Highland, Northern
One of our panel members indulges in a spot of angling and instantly recognised the aromas of waxed jackets, wicker basket and oiled fishing reels. Crushed nettles and citronella candle, along with Autumnal orchards completed the riverbank scenario. The mouthfeel started with cooling starfruit and lemon drizzle cake, then slowly a honeycomb warmth crept over the tongue with stealth. Raisins plumped with cola, fruit salad sweeties and Black Jacks emerged when water was added, with some Springtime florals. A hint of flaxseed oil but overall deliciously juicy and distinctly moreish.
Drinking tip: The panel preferred this without the river water
Colour: Toasted waffles
Cask: Refill barrel
Age: 23 years
Date distilled: August 1990
Alcohol: 48.5%
USA allocation: 117 bottles
Cask No. 59.49 $240
Celebration in a glass
Highland, Northern
Calming and relaxing were the first comments after a long silence in the Panel. One could literally hear the deep breathing – aromas of treacle sponge, roasted chestnuts, beeswax, roasted orange slices, and a tropical rum trifle. The taste has depth layers of flavour which are all subtle and harmonizing creating an experience that is hard to describe; tangy marmalade, Prosciutto ham served with melon balls soaked in brandy as well as a well-aged Riesling. With a drop of water now like a Trockenbeerenauslese, rich texture but also juicy, enormous weight and depth and an almost salty tanginess at the finish – you just have to experience that!
Drinking tip: Life in itself is worth one big celebration
Colour: Liquid centre of a Locket
Cask: Refill hogshead
Age: 30 years
Date distilled: November 1983
Alcohol: 49.2%
USA allocation: 90 bottles
Cask No. G7.7 $160
Old Codger with a Jammy Dodger
Grain
An unusual old character brimming with rich honey, plums infused with cinnamon and saffron. The panel found wet wool along with earthy aromas. The taste neat was of Jammy Dodgers and melted stroopwafel, then slightly burned toast with sweet jam and hints of mint. The chair was reminded of the aromas of the shortbread factory in Aberlour High Street with bagfuls of vanilla pods, maple syrup and creme brulee. It remained lively with fig and peach giving out to toasted banana bread, and fruit scones. ‘Old Spice’ aftershave mingled in the finish, still plenty of pep in this pensioner.
Drinking tip: When you fancy something unusual
Colour: Buffed brass candlesticks
Cask: Refill hogshead
Age: 30 years
Date distilled: May 1984
Alcohol: 59.4%
USA allocation: 72 bottles