Cask No. 73.71

Cask No. 73.71  

A scene from Madeira

Speyside, Deveron

The nose suggested sweet treats spread out on a wooden table – vanilla tablet, walnut fudge, coconut macaroons, custard creams and Garibaldi biscuits. The palate started out with mouth-flooding sweetness (apple strudel, raisins, dates and prunes) but then a spicy ginger, chilli heat kicked in – and seemed to out-last the sweetness. The reduced nose conjured up a scene from Madeira – painted boats on a pebble beach, old deck-chairs, honey cake and lemonade, with a flower market not far away. The palate now showed its lighter side, with cinnamon swirls and maple and pecan Danish pastries – but still enough to sustain our interest.

Drinking tip:  Ideally, with high tea at Reid’s Hotel in Funchal.

Colour: Van Gogh’s indulgence
Cask: Refill butt
Age: 14 years
Date distilled: September 2001
Alcohol: 55.5%
USA allocation: 60 bottles