Cask No. 24.134

A resinous, mineralic sherry - almost brittle in its purity - leaps at you from the glass. It evolves into a poetic riddle of camphor, dates, aged Borderies Cognac, supple earthiness, dark brown sugar, pomegranate molasses and aged cigars. There’s cough medicine in there as well, alongside sour cherries, redcurrant jus and cured game meats. Reduction brings forth a sense of long-aged medicines, shoe polish, peppermint tea, eucalyptus oils and pine resin. The sherry remains vibrant, nervous and beautifully poised. The arrival on the palate is mouth-enveloping. A dense, hugely syrupy texture full of salted almonds, white truffle, dunnage earthiness, spiced plum wine, pressed marigold flowers and dried herbs. With water there are more nutty qualities, toasted seed mixes, grassy olive oil, sooty inflections and notes of dry cereals, buttery brown toast and expensive liquorice. A fading, rancio-rich finish follows with notes of salted lemons and dried thyme in the aftertaste. After 20 years maturation in an Oloroso puncheon this whisky was transferred to a 1st fill Oloroso hogshead.