Though as much as this is a fairly accurate summation of this dram, it by no means does justice to the amount of colossal complexities that penetrate and protrude from the core to the surface of this dramgasmic extravaganza.
The nose kicks off with a sensation that can only be described as the warm fruity aromas that enter a car after its broken down outside the rear entrance of the ‘Sun Maid’ raisin factory in the San Joaquin Valley, California, during a midsummer heatwave.
There’s a balanced and bountiful infusion of glugtabulous honey, orange peel and Oloroso sherry, which somehow manages to intertwine itself with some very bourbon-esque notes. Subtle waves of fresh sweet rye wonderfulness charge their way through confidently, before being joined by a cavalry of candy floss and maple syrup.
The reality of Blighty kicks back in, with the sweet and slightly tannic aroma of a big mug of strong builder’s tea that has had at least six spoonfuls of sugar stirred into it. Followed by the wonderlicious sensations of a box of vanilla fudge and a bag of cinnamon toasted walnuts, that have been picked up on the way home from a funfair.
There’s a bit of a fresh fest finishing off the nasal proceedings, with some dripping down the chin honey dew melon and more of those bourbon-esque elements, in the form of some very subtle aniseed infused spearmint whiffs.
The palatable delights are reassuringly weighted and rounded. If anything they either match or compliment perfectly what has just been experienced on the nose.
A four part harmony kicks in from a sweet and moorish palatable barbershop quartet. A baritone in the form of some winter spiced honey, a tenor in the form of a sherry and toasted malt infusion, and a base in the form of some big bold bursts of plum and orange, all led by valiant yet vivacious pods of Madagascan vanilla.
The proceeding on the palate are brought to a very satisfying close with an almost maple syrup, menthol infusion that yet again has echoes of those bourbon-esque notes.
This is a phenomenal drop drammage, that even from its initial nosing you know is worthy of a encore. A favourite amoung many whisky enthusiasts and undoubtedly a perfect recommendation for those just starting out on their personal whisky trails.
