2023 sees the launch of this brand new flagship 12-year-old single malt. Drawn from a selection of bourbon, sherry, and red wine casks.
Appearance: Light chestnut. A chaotic tide mark with many droplets and teardrops. Make thick trails form throughout the viscous film.
Nose: Floral, confectionary sweet and dark fruits emerge first. Following this there’s honey, baking spices, caramel and blueberry. From the second sip onwards there’s a more bourbon-like aroma profile with vanilla, faint oak, toffee and honeycomb. Some icing sugar-dusted orchard fruits appear after some time too.
Palate: A decent mouthfeel, not overly oily, but not thin either. A touch more spice than the nose would suggest, but maintaining the sweetness from the nose. Honey, caramel, oak and the confectionary sugar remain consistent. Some black pepper heat build throughout the dream which is pleasing.
Finish: The pepper heat, honey and confectionary sweetness flow through to the finish, which is short to medium in length.
Overall: It’s a lovely 12 year old but, at £50, it’s priced itself out of my consideration given the similar aged whiskies available for far less (anCnoc for one). Price aside is a very nice, well-balanced and friendly dram.
