ABV
52.2%
Region
Speyside
Bottling
Douglas Laing
Cask type
Refill Sherry Butt (# DL12786, 248 btl.)
Nose
The nose starts off with old sherry flavours, mixed with ripe dark fruits, dates, rum soaked raisins and brown sugar. Then dark chocolate arrives, followed by subtle spice of cinnamon and oak. Notes of tobacco leaves and cardamom with a hint of fresh mint in the back. A gorgeous dram which you can nose for hours!
Palate
Rich and bold on the palate with a deliciously sweet start. Sherry flavours, lovely mixed with ripe dark fruits and zesty oranges. This is complemented by notes of tobacco leaves, walnuts, cinnamon and a whiff of nutmeg. Very mouth-filling with a warming spiciness of oak and espresso towards the finish.
Finish
The finish is pretty long and creamy with fruit compote, old sherry and barley sugar. A touch of walnuts pleasantly mingles with notes of dark bitter chocolate and treacle toffee on the tail. Slightly dry and still very complex.
With water
Water brings more sherry flavours to the fore with dominating dried dark fruits. Lively and vibrant on the nose. Less sweet on the palate with more dry notes of sherry, tobacco leaves and Seville oranges. Dry with oak and nutmeg. The finish is still long and warming with dry notes of oak, walnuts, cinnamon and espresso.
Comments
A rich, complex and satisfying old single malt from this unknown Speyside distillery. Despite having spent five decades in an oak cask it is not at all overpowered by it. On the contrary, the spicy oak notes remain discreetly in the background and thus offer plenty of room for the old school sherry aromas. Great variety of flavours with a lot of harmony and balance. Water can be added, but isn't necessary. An absolutely impressive old dram, which fits perfectly after a great dinner. Very attractive indeed!
I thank Douglas Laing for the complimentary sample and the photograph!