Next to the 225 there is now also the 228 from Tullibardine. It is their Sovereign, the bourbon matured entry level malt, but finished on Burgundy red wine casks. It was a cask of 228 litres, from which this release takes its name. Notice that these new releases have no age statement.
The nose starts off very spicy. Think nutmeg and cloves. Immediately followed by a creamy sweetness of toffee and caramel. Fruit association? Sure. Banana, raspberry and red berries. Strawberries too. Vanilla custart. Hint of apricot pie. Nuts.
It is less creamy on the palate than I expected, but still nicely mouthcoating. Red fruit again, supported by some toasted oak. Some apple, skins included, develops clearly. Pink Ladies? Midpalate some blood oranges kick in, a touch zesty. This is quite good.
The finish is long and warm, beautifully spicy and reminds me most of a red marmalade.
The wine influence is very clear, but nicely balanced by the bourbon casks, preventing this from become vinous. Just under 40 EUR.
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