The 18-year-old was launched in January of 2007 to replace the 17-year-old.
Appearance: Tizer orange. A substantial swirl line and viscous film, with many medium/thick legs. Some teardrops form too.
Nose: Quite a light ABV wave, about right for 43%. A delicate meaty smoke, Frazzles, freshly baked sponge and stewed dark fruits. Dark chocolate-covered orange segments now, with some salinity. The fruit element grows as the dram matures, while the smoke reduces slightly. A slight ‘aged bookshelf’ funk appears late on too.
Palate: A semi-viscous mouthfeel. The smoke and orange segments appear first, along with a slightly bitter note: subtle eucalyptus, cinnamon and buttery sweet and salted popcorn.
Finish: Black pepper, BBQ smoke, candied orange peel and faint mint. A good chest warming and decent medium to long finish.
Overall: A nicely balanced dram with a lot to explore and some interesting layers. Nice.
