Tasting Notes
ABV
45%
Region
Speyside
Bottling
Gordon & MacPhail
Cask type
Côte Rôtie Wood Finish (4,000 btl.)
Nose
Intense and very fruity on the nose with strawberries, raspberries, red cherries and apricots. This is complemented by plums, dark grapes and a strong wine aroma. Hints of sweet vanilla, oak, pepper and cinnamon in the back.
Palate
Subtle sweet but very fruity start on the palate with wine aroma, strawberries and raspberries, followed by a slightly sour touch of red currant. Warming spices arrive with oak and cracked black pepper, nicely mixed with subtle tobacco leaves, dark chocolate and a hint of barley sugar and toffee sweetness. Warm and complex.
Finish
The finish is long, warm and slightly sweet with red berries, plum compote and a whiff of tobacco leaves on the tail.
With Water
Water enhances the fruitiness on the nose with more strawberries, raspberries and plenty of wine flavours. Sweet and fruity on the palate with a tamed and only slightly warming spiciness, whereas more plum compote and toffee notes come through. The finish is medium long, slightly warm with red fruits, plum compote and reduced spiciness.
Comments
Wow, what a cracker! This is a wonderful bottling satisfying nose and palate equally. The Côte Rôtie French wine cask finish brings in delicate fruitiness and well-dosed sweetness but without overwhelming the distillery character. Rich, complex and well-balanced with a proper spicy core. Best to enjoy in front of a log-fire.