Origin: Scotland
Type: Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 59.8%ABV
Ageing cask: Ex-Sherry refill
Chillfiltered: No
Added colouring: No
Owner: Spheric Spirits
Average price: € 850.00
Official website: sphericspirits.com
Vote: 94/100
Another blended uncovered in old abandoned stocks, with a cask that, like the previous one tried on these pages, most likely had to give birth to Long John, which may lead you to suspect what malts it might contain: Ben Nevis, Tormore, some Laphroaig for the peated part, plus various other distilleries.
Beyond the contents of the mix, a cask that has lost much of its content (a butt that produced 331 bottles) while retaining a considerable degree of strength, in a taste that takes you back to another way of making scotch.
Tasting notes
The alcohol content is completely imperceptible on the nose, which reveals itself to be dense and full-bodied in its eminently fruity profile, turning tropical (papaya, pineapple, mango) with an abundance of ripe fruit (apricot, peach, raspberry, quince) and touches of lily of the valley. The presence of peat is expressed in the mineral form, with sulphurous puffs, while traits of yoghurt plum cake emerge. Time enriches the aromatic notes, which become broader and deeper: nuts, slight inflections of nutmeg, butter biscuits, tea leaves, a hint of camphor. Spectacular.
Quite pronounced black pepper and ginger at the entrance, with the sherry emerging decisively in the acidulous and vinous components of the red fruits in an oily and compact compote. The mineral and sulphurous part returns with conviction, lightening the dark tones, while the whole fruity compartment of the nose takes a back seat, exploding on the palate after its initial (and apparent) simplicity. Biting and energetic, with vegetal and bitterish hints of aniseed, tea leaves, liquorice root and cinchona.
Long finish that takes up the drinking theme without letting up, with just a hint of smoke in the background.
Little to add to the above, richness, complexity and elegance combined in one bottle. I repeat myself: spectacular.