Exclusively bottled for the Southport Whisky Festival 2020. Distilled: 10.2002, Bottled: 11.2019, Age: 17 Years Old, Cask Number: 493. Bottle Number: One of only 93 bottles released.
Appearance: Dark gold/golden syrup. A lovely viscous film forms quickly, with a substantial jagged tide mark immediately breaking into thick trails and teardrops.
Nose: High ABV bourbon-like is the initial note(s): honey, caramel, vanilla, oak and a touch of pepper and cinnamon.
The second nose reveals a slightly more confectionary side, but not the usual salty harbour air I get from most Glen Scotia’s.
Some more familiar notes emerge as I acclimatise: a subtle salinity, wet forest floor, damp cellar and a touch of mould.
I can sense a more sugar-dusted berry and orchard fruit element trying to break through too.
Palate: A lovely mouthfeel, full of brown sugar, caramel, and a touch of aniseed and vanilla.
I do get a slightly off-putting soapy note.
The salinity, harbour ropes and distant bbq’d meats keeping warm on dying coals make a welcomed appearance after a while.
The black pepper and slight liquorice notes slowly increase as the dram is consumed.
There’s still a very bourbon-like aftertaste (not a negative).
Finish: Medium to long. Vanilla, caramel, cinnamon, black pepper, honey and oak again. It’s like a repeat of the nose.
Overall: I like it, a lot. I’m a big bourbon fan, as well as whisky, so this one works really well for my tastes.
