Sutherland Secret Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Distilled 2010, First Fill Bourbon Cask, Single Cask, 53.3%, only 387 bottles, 500ml
"Visit the candlelit apothecary, with its jars of aromatic herbs, spices, and dried lemons, ready to be crushed on the beaten oak refectory table and added to the hot chocolate simmering on the stove to warm up."
Color: Sauvignon Blanc
Nose: Candle wax, orange sorbet, lemon sorbet, lemon barley water, barley sugar, Brazil nuts, milk chocolate-covered hazelnuts, pistachios, lamb's wool, a trio of biscuits—buttered raisins, oats—as well as iced coffee and snapdragons.
Palate: Waxy palate, orange sorbet, lemon sorbet, oak tops, chili, paprika, white pepper, cloves, star anise, nutmeg, and spiced hot chocolate.
Finish: Butter cookies and lemon curd.
Nose with water: The spices are still present but much softer and blended into a cupcake with candied orange, beeswax, hazelnuts, walnuts, buttered scones with greengage jam and whipped cream, a banana milkshake, milk chocolate buttons, and lacquer.
Palate with water: Banoffee tart, milk chocolate-covered bananas, spiced hot chocolate, strawberry blancmange, lemon tart, lemon and rose Turkish delight, vanilla latte, gingerbread latte, crème caramel, waffles with vanilla ice cream, and lavender honey brioche.
Finish with water: Rum and raisin ice cream.
Conclusion: All the qualities of a great Clynelish, with the addition of spices and buttered brioche that complement the classic notes of lemon and wax. A Scotch Whisky of great precision and complexity.
