40 Years Old 43%
Limited edition of 600 bottles
Tasting notes by Jim Murray
Nose: Beautifully defined oak, which has taken on a handsomely sweet bourbon character. This is almost chestnut sweet, very softly peated and enticingly gentle. Steps up a gear when warmed in the hand with tantalising spices keeping in harmony with waxy malt and ultra-clean sherry. The way the old oak behaves itself - tows the line, is nothing short of wonderful.
Taste: The oak is again first to show but remains soft and laid back and teasingly spicy. The initial burst of oak does suggest a worn dryness, but this is soon counterbalanced by a Demerara sweetness. This blends effortlessly with some heavy, intense malt and a lingering but quite unmistakable hint of liquorice, which emerges from the refined sherry-trifle middle.
Finish: Long, chewy, smoky, and initially sweet with the liquorice continuing, but dries very slowly to deliver an oaky encore. Stays just to the right side of being vanilla-rich to ensure continuing charm and quality.
Comments: An almost immaculate portrayal of an old fashioned, high quality malt with unblemished sherry freshness and depth. The hallmark of quality is the sherry’s refusal to dominate the spicy, softly peated malt. The oak offers bourbon-ey sweetness, but ensures a rich depth throughout. Quite outstanding for its age.
Tasting notes by Jim Murray
Nose: Beautifully defined oak, which has taken on a handsomely sweet bourbon character. This is almost chestnut sweet, very softly peated and enticingly gentle. Steps up a gear when warmed in the hand with tantalising spices keeping in harmony with waxy malt and ultra-clean sherry. The way the old oak behaves itself - tows the line, is nothing short of wonderful.
Taste: The oak is again first to show but remains soft and laid back and teasingly spicy. The initial burst of oak does suggest a worn dryness, but this is soon counterbalanced by a Demerara sweetness. This blends effortlessly with some heavy, intense malt and a lingering but quite unmistakable hint of liquorice, which emerges from the refined sherry-trifle middle.
Finish: Long, chewy, smoky, and initially sweet with the liquorice continuing, but dries very slowly to deliver an oaky encore. Stays just to the right side of being vanilla-rich to ensure continuing charm and quality.
Comments: An almost immaculate portrayal of an old fashioned, high quality malt with unblemished sherry freshness and depth. The hallmark of quality is the sherry’s refusal to dominate the spicy, softly peated malt. The oak offers bourbon-ey sweetness, but ensures a rich depth throughout. Quite outstanding for its age.
