Braeval Sweet tobacco & pandrops 17 Year Old, Cask #113.1, 1979, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 59.1%

teacup_socks2 Oct

The fruit teas catch my attention here, especially alongside citrus rinds and yellow and green fruits. That combination appeals to my taste for tea notes, while condensed milk and honey bring a sweeter side to the palate’s peppery warmth. On the nose, leafy earthiness and cigarette tobacco contrast with ginger biscuits and honeyed brown bread; there’s more going on than sweetness alone. The finish sounds gentler, with floral freshness, toffee and a tropical fruity flourish. I’d favour the tea and citrus elements, though the tobacco gives this a character that won’t suit every preference. It’s a varied combination, and the shift from earthy nose to fresh finish is what makes it interesting to me.

cedar_atlas14 Sept

The ginger biscuits and honeyed brown bread give this a clear baked-grain direction. Leafy earthiness and cigarette tobacco keep the sweetness from feeling simple. Yellow and green fruits bring a brighter turn, followed by a fresh, floral finish.

The fruit teas and citrus rinds bring a welcome lift alongside the sweet, rounded notes. That mix of brightness and warmth sounds especially appealing to me.