26.211 – Ambrosial Nectar
45.9% ~ 2nd Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel ~ 30yo ~ Highland ~ £525.00
The wonderful gentle aroma reminded us of happy childhood summers, pitching a small canvas tent on the beach and spending carefree time outdoors. The taste reflected those serene chilled-out moments with a wonderfully waxy mouthfeel, tropical fruit juice, maple syrup and poached pears in a rich cardamom chocolate sauce. A tiny drop of water, if you wish, and the gentle scent of apple blossom next to flaked almonds and rich tea biscuits emerged as we started to paint with soft pastel colours ‘plein air’ style on the beach. On the palate came a tantalising deliciousness; a sweet oiliness combined with candied orange peel and rosewater – ambrosial nectar… read more
4.343 – Analytical Allure
53.6% ~ 2nd Fill Ex-Madeira Hogshead ~ 31yo ~ Highland ~ £695.00
The scent we found was that of a burnt, traditional Christmas cake and scorched raisins, as one Panellist even detected exhaust fumes from a tugboat. On the palate we all got madeira wine; however some tasted the dry sercial served with olives, roasted almonds and Kirsch salami, others the sweetest version, a malmsey with chocolate crumpets. Following reduction, the aroma turned sweeter and smoother, with malt extract, apple shisha and lightly burnt babka. To taste, an explosion of incense smoke preceded warming flavours of cinder toffee and pain au raisin. Following 24 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, we transferred this whisky into a second fill madeira hogshead… read more
24.169 – Bonkers For Conkers
53.8% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Olorosso Butt ~ 33yo ~ Speyside ~ £2,499.00
A deep russet hue led us straight into an autumn landscape with aromas of polished horse chestnuts, rosehip, birch branches, prunes, dates and figs. Tasting neat the first thing we noted was “still plenty of zing”, followed by flavours of hay-smoked roe deer with blackberry and beetroot beautifully balanced by a fresh berry chantilly cake. After reduction, we found cedar, tobacco and dark chocolate notes next to the scent of roasting chestnuts. On the palate were orange oil, raspberry and blackberry jam, ahead of a long finish from a tiramisu with conker coffee liqueur. Following 29 years in a refill oloroso butt, we transferred this whisky into a first fill oloroso butt… read more