Distilled at Tobermory, matured in Bourbon casks for 12 years and bottled at cask strength. Un-chill filtered and natural colour.
Nose: The ABV is carried very well in this dram. There’s an obvious ethanol wave, but I would guess in the 40 %s. The faintest wisp of a beach bonfire. Icing sugar-dusted red berries and orchard fruits, predominantly pear and red apple (which increases, as the dram matures).
Honey and custard add a more mellow layer to the experience, building a fruit pie and custard profile.
After a while, a dusty bookshelf aroma develops.
It’s another clever CS nose profile that is complex and remains friendly, even for an ABV in the upper 50s.
Palate: A pleasing semi-viscous mouthfeel. Although spicier than the nose, it’s not accompanied by the expected hit from the ABV, just a different flavour profile. Lemon pepper, black pepper, nutmeg, ginger and lime chutney spring to mind at first.
Sweetness is presented in the form of icing sugar, honey, gooseberry, faint raspberry and that custard note.
Subtle blood orange bitterness and a slightly soapy flavour linger in the background but remain subdued.
Good chest warming reminds me that this is indeed a cask strength.
Finish: The bitterness and spice linger for a medium to long amount of time. The honey, fruits and icing sugar fade fairly quickly.
Overall: Although not my favourite bottling from these guys, this is still very good, it just has such a high benchmark to live up to! It’s especially dangerous given how easygoing it drinks, even for such a high ABV!
