Allt A’Bhainne 15yo 1992 (46%, MMcD, Bourbon, 350 Bts., +/-2007)

An independent bottling of a Speyside single malt that was matured in Bourbon barrels and unusually for a Speyside single malt it was bottled on Islay at Bruichladdich distillery. The nose is mildly pungent and sweet at the same time, with banana and mildly vegetative, followed by an aroma that has not been encountered in a long time; bubble gum. After some nosing is it ascertained that water is needed, this brings out some pleasant malty notes and a meaty back ground along with some heather and brown sugar. The taste is slightly unremarkable at first but good followed by a brief period of Bovril followed by some good malt that the Bovril soon banishes. There are also some wood notes (varnish, spice and burnt cake) and a mild soapiness. Curious. The finish is at first of hard boiled eggs just out of the shell followed by some struggling malt and tobacco (raw, before it is smoked) and some sourness. The finish is quite long and mildly industrial along with the soapiness.

Different and saved by the malt.

C$115

Score 77

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