Ben Nevis 1996, 11 Jahre, 60,1 %, bourbon hogshead, cask 846, 281 bottles
This bourbon hogshead was originally filled for the local Fassfern Estate near Fort William, and a very good choice of cask it was - already a deep gold colour after only 11 years maturation. The nose is sweet and inviting: vanilla pods, almost home-made ice-cream, then super-tempting Banoffee Pie, and toasted oats in more toffee sauce. The flavour at full strength is rich and nutty, with a long, sweet finish.With the addition of a little water, a lovely citrus note with fresh scents of jasmine and raisins following behind. The texture is mouth-coating and rich, and the finish full of bitter almonds and icing sugar.
Caperdonich 1970, 38 Jahre, 47,1 %, bourbon cask no. 4378, 184 bottles
Closed in 2002, and often referred to as Glen Grant no. 2, Caperdonich is still very visible as you pass through Rothes. Its make is becoming increasingly hard to find, and especially welcome when found at this age and quality. A rich gold with light beading, as you would expect from the lower strength.The nose delights with decaying tropical fruits and a little face cream. Quickly moving to over-ripe kiwi fruit, cape gooseberries, tangy oranges and pomegranates. Surrounding the fruits, the lovely old rancio nose that well-matured whisky develops.The taste brings tea tree oil and eucalyptus with a mouth-cooling menthol and a thread of smoke. Then oiliness, some mint and a slight drying on the palate. With just a dash of water, more oiliness, smoked mussels, teak oil in the sunshine, linseed oil on a cricket bat. A long finish, as you would expect, sweet with plenty of licorice.
Clynelish 1993, 15 Jahre, 54,7 %, bourbon cask
Macallan 1990, 18 Jahre, 52,8 %, refill sherry hogshead, cask no. 1117, 244 bottles
A rare refill sherry hogshead of 18yr old Macallan, a rich gold in colour with long legs and excellent beading.At first, a mild nose of bruised apples, then baked apples and brown sugar. A hint of matchbox striker, now madeirised with a dusting of chocolate and a rich, baked apple tart.At natural strength this is hot! Plenty of coconut, rich spices and mild licorice. With water, a fresher feel – some apple Chewits, Appletizer and burnt sugar. The mid-palate brings shows an oiliness with caramel, burnt orange peel and some lovely floral notes.The finish is fennel and licorice, mouthfilling with chocolate and aniseed lingering.
Tasting Notes by: Adelphi