Cask No. 58.15                               $200

Gravitas in a glass

Speyside, Deveron

The very first sniff drew positive impressions; ‘gravitas in a glass’ someone said – aromas of marmalade, toffee, syrup, coconut and exotic fruits (melon, lychee, Gewürztraminer) with some gentle hints of wood sap, shrubberies and rose gardens. The palate certainly didn’t disappoint but it had a surprisingly strong Armagnac character – we found it juicy, mouth-watering and mellow, with sandalwood, tropical fruits and mixed spices (pepper, ginger, chilli). The reduced nose was a beehive (beeswax, honey, wood) in a garden – also dark fruits, velvety chocolate pots and lavender. The palate now suggested raisins soaked in brandy, dried flowers, sultanas, dates and warming spices.

Drinking tip: This would be a great dram to cradle, appreciate and muse over after dinner.

Colour: Golden syrup

Cask: Refill barrel

Age: 25 years

Date distilled: June 1989

Alcohol: 56.1%

USA allocation: 90 bottles

Flavour profile: Deep, rich & dried fruits

Cask No. 7.105                       $175        

Cricket pavilions and garden centres

Speyside, Lossie

The interesting nose combined toffee, honey and butterscotch sweetness with various fruits (apple, lychee, lemon, pineapple) including dried fruits and nuts (tropical mix); evocative aromas of wood, leather, linseed oil, cut grass and gorse took us to cricket pavilions. Water brought out exotic fruits and pot-pourri in wooden bowls and garden centre impressions. The palate had lovely sharp fruity sweetness – like assorted Haribos – but more of an adult pleasure (sour apple, cherry, apricot) with hints of gingerbread, chestnut, vanilla and Madeira. A good long finish at full strength – with water, light tingles of pineapple cubes, cinnamon toast and American Cream Soda.

Drinking tip: A fairly easy-going dram – maybe the first one to serve when guests arrive – or just relaxing with a book.

Colour: Golden syrup

Cask: Refill barrel

Age: 21 years

Date distilled: April 1993

Alcohol: 54.5%

USA allocation: 195 bottles

Flavour profile: Sweet, fruity & mellow

Cask No. 41.66                               $115

Sweet citrus and attractive perfumes

Speyside, Spey

The nose stimulated us with tons of Haribos (Dolly Mixtures for older generations), vanilla slices, pineapple humps and cup cakes – eventually more complex – jasmine tea, cigar boxes, walnut oil and flat-pack furniture. The neat palate had plentiful sweetness (peach juice, white chocolate, tinned pineapple, syrupy gulab jamun) – but never sickly, thanks to chilli heat and tobacco and grapefruit bitterness. The nose developed attractive perfumes with water (peach, jasmine, lily of the valley, lemon cup cakes). The reduced palate was ‘satisfying’ and ‘enjoyable’ – sweetly citric, with caramelized apple, lemon drizzle cake and ice cream, plus ginger, pepper, mint and menthol to finish.

Drinking tip: A great aperitif – to get the juices flowing

Colour: Faded copper bracelet

Cask: First-fill barrel

Age: 11 years

Date distilled: August 2003

Alcohol: 60.3%

USA allocation: 66 bottles

Flavour profile: Juicy, oak & vanilla

Cask No. 10.81                       $100       

Sea salt caramel ice cream

Islay

A fresh, maritime and ‘seafoody’ aroma greeted the Panel. A plate of cold smoked salmon, steamed mussels, crab claws, jumbo king prawns and fresh oysters with a sweet citrus soy sauce; whilst the freshness was in the desert; mint chocolate chip ice cream. The taste was like a salty, juicy gammon steak with a lime ginger salsa and sweet peat smoked mackerels. With water we moved into a fishmonger’s with ice filled boxes on the floor containing the catch of the day and to taste a balance of sweet, salty and smoky flavours – dark chocolate mousse centred with smoked sea salt caramel.

Drinking tip: With a seafood platter

Colour: Lone-Ranger bullet

Cask: Refill barrel

Age: 9 years

Date distilled: December 2005

Alcohol: 60.4%

USA allocation: 113 bottles

Flavour profile: Oily & coastal

Cask No. 29.164                             $150

A ballerina at the barbeque

Islay

Our ballerina sits on damp decking tending to her weary toes with TCP and lint bandage from an antiquated first aid box. A Bloody Mary revives her flagging spirit as she lights a fire pit to start cooking white fish wrapped in bacon and spritzed with lime juice. She snacks on popcorn with sea salt and cracked black pepper and cucumber sandwiches from warm Tupperware. A sprinkle of rain can’t dampen the ash, hints of oil pastel and linseed develop. The shellfish is drizzled with coriander and olive oil and grilled with halloumi and green peppers. Dainty and delicious!

Drinking tip: The perfect accompaniment for a seafood barbeque

Colour: White gold

Cask: Refill hogshead

Age: 17 years

Date distilled: October 1997

Alcohol: 49.2%

USA allocation: 174 bottles

Flavour profile: Lightly peated

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