Another Cutty Sark, but this time the 25 Year Old, which contains 95% Speyside malt whisky and only 5% (doh!) grain. Judging by the colour, some sherry casks were used.
That is immediately confirmed on the nose. Dark fruit (figs, raisins) and some mandarin, peach and loads of toffee. Very round and full. Nice spices too. Liquorice, vanilla, aniseed and mint. But also something that reminds me of incense, those little sticks that you light to give your home an oriental perfume. Even some tar. Chocolate and garden herbs. Mildly drying. Very, very complex.
While I had expected it to be creamier on the palate, the attack if more than fair. Loads of malt with pepper and aniseed, before the fruit kicks in. Handful of nuts. Vanilla pudding. Rum. Orangettes. And a whiff of smoke.
The finish is long, peppery and sweet, with an extra helping of peat.
Marvellous. Wow, this can easily hold its own next to many a malt! Between 130 and 150 EUR. Not to be confused with the Tam o’Shanter (although I am told that one is excellent as well). Thanks, Andreas!
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