The Whisky Mercenary The Nameless One 18 Year Old 1995

What a great label! Just wanted to get that off my chest first. This Nameless One is bottled from a Speyside sherry cask that matured for 18 years. Undoubtedly – kicking in an open door here, I guess – this came from the Valley of the Green Grass.

The first thing that I notice on this sweet nose is how heavily it smells of butter. Sweetened butter, to be sure. Once you get past that, a nice mix of stewed fruits, sultanas, some beeswax and vanilla entice you. Some moccha and even a hint of sniffing tobacco. Do I detect even a trace of smoke? Must be from the wood. After a few moments, the whole turns somewhat into praline and a hint of chocolate milk. It keeps developing in the glass. Very nice and complex.

Despite the high ABV, the arrival is very soft. Nicely smooth and warm on spices. Cloves, liquorice and a pinch of pepper. The butter is less on the palate, replaced by more fruit. Dades, plums, raisins. Starts to look more and more like Glenfarclas, but atypical enough to impress even Mr Timmermans (are you reading this, Luc?).

I would not have minded if the finish lasted a bit longer, but it certainly does not disappoint. Spicy and fruity, as was to be expected from this whisky.

A rather atypical Glenfarclas, but a beauty nonetheless. Well chosen, Jurgen!