Cask No. 80.17

Cask No. 80.17 

Dazzling and scintillating

Speyside, Spey

Plenty of fruity aromas neat; peaches, pineapples and green apples but at the same time also hints of cinnamon and ginger as well as creamy, floral honey. On the palate we got served a very high in alcohol mead (up to 20 %!) with a Riesling-like acidity and fruity flavours of peach, toffee as well as coastal grasses while in the finish, a hint of coffee and the light bitterness of hazelnut. When we added water, plenty of vanilla to begin with before the fruity scent of ripe mangos and grilled pineapple slices took centre stage. Still spicy but now a lovely silky texture and the tannins were that of a fruity, herbal black tea.

Cask: First-fill hogshead
Age: 8 years
Date distilled: January 2012
Alcohol: 59.0%
USA allocation: 90 bottles