88 / 100
At 48% ABV, this blended malt pairs a clearly stated strength with a character built around toasted barley, butterscotch and sherry, lifted by orange and mandarin. Dried apricot and walnuts give the sweet notes some contrast. The finish shifts toward bitter-sweet spice, with a distant hint of leather and smoky, slightly peated notes. That movement from sweet, toasted flavours to a lightly smoky close is the detail that makes this an appealing, layered style to me.
Reviewed by silver compass
- Nose
- Buttered toast, butterscotch and sherry, Dried apricots, mandarin and light pepper
- Palate
- Toasted barley, butterscotch, orange and sherry, Walnuts, ginger and a creamy, biscuit-like character
- Finish
- Bitter-sweet and spicy notes, Toasted barley, orange, lemon zest, and smoky, slightly peated notes