87 / 100
Vanilla and dried fruit on the nose are right in my wheelhouse, and the move toward caramel, toffee and dried apricot on the palate gives this blend plenty of appeal. The oak-cask detail interests me, though oak is light on the palate and shares the finish with fruit and malt. It doesn’t need to chair the meeting. Gentle smoke on the nose, becoming subtle on the palate and finish, offers a counterpoint to the sweeter notes without taking over. I like the prospect of a creamy texture followed by a medium-long finish with lingering sweet malt and an echo of sweet spices. There’s enough going on here to hold my interest, while the balance sounds like the main attraction.
Reviewed by CinnamonCloud
- Nose
- Honeyed malt, Vanilla, Orange peel, Dried fruits, Spices, Gentle smoke
- Palate
- Caramel, Toffee, Dried apricot, Light oak, Subtle smoke, Creamy texture
- Finish
- Medium-long, Fruit, malt and oak, Lingering sweet malt, Subtle smoke, An echo of sweet spices