I bought this 2001 Bell's Christmas Decanter through an online auction a couple of years ago (it's been open for a year or so). It is part of a series celebrating great Scottish inventors, so this one appropriately celebrates Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922) who not only invented the telephone but also worked in aeronautics, phonographs, and published concepts on solar panels and air conditioning.
The colour is a medium amber. On the nose we have light honey, green apple skins, heather and a hint of peat. Water makes it a bit maltier. Almost identical to the 1981 Decanter I just reviewed.
A bit richer on the palate with darker honey, milk chocolate, raisin and almond. We are approaching the nuttiness of the current bottling. As with the 1981, water adds a bit more depth and what seems liked aged malt. Very nice.
The finish is spicy and oaky with a bit of roasted almond and ginger. This bottling is much like the 1981 Decanter so I've kept my notes a bit brief. I will keep both these beautiful Wade decanters for as long as I can...
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