At first nosing the panel noted such aromas as manuka honey, sandalwood, lemon balm and overripe yellow fruits. A beautiful and exquisitely mature profile we all agreed. Further notes of apple blossom, scone mix and fennel seeds were all detected. With water we got heather flowers, mossy tree bark, flower pollens, sun lotion and crystallised citrus fruits. In time a firmer waxy tone developed.

In the mouth it displayed soft peppery warmth, with notes of white tea, buttered toast, waxed canvas and oily cereals. Rich notes of honey, menthol tobacco and dried mango followed. Reduction brought lime jelly, heather honey, sweetheart stout, citrus marmalades and sweet yellow plums. A gorgeous dram! At 22 years of age, we combined selected casks from the same distillery. We then returned the single malt into a variety of different casks to develop further. This is one of those casks.