A primary maturation in ex-bourbon casks followed by a secondary maturation in Shaved Toasted and Re-charred ex-red wine casks.
Appearance: Lager amber. An oozy film coats the glass, with medium legs, teardrops and droplets. A chaotic tide mark circles the glass and slowly disintegrates.
Nose: Orchard fruits: red apple, plum and pear. Honey, icing sugar and cereal notes appear next.
There’s a nice level of ABV, evident but not interfering at all.
Fruit Salad sweets swirl into the nose after a short while.
Palate: A semi-viscous mouthfeel, filled with buttercream, milk chocolate, confectionary sweetness, toffee apple and subtle spice, in the form of black pepper and cinnamon.
Pear drops and lemon sherbet swirl around now.
That cereal note from the nose is an ever-present element, like crunchy nut cornflakes on steroids.
It’s a lovely sweet and friendly dram on the palate. Unlike many whiskies, the nose sweetness translates to the palate beautifully.
Finish: Medium to long. The slightly spiced toffee apple sweetness lasts a good amount of time.
The buttercream mellowness and milk chocolate underpin the more fruity notes, adding balance and roundness.
Overall: Toffee apple and custard in a glass. I really like this one. I took a punt buying the bottle and I’m glad I did. It’s a great everyday sipper and gateway whisky. Recommended.
