Nose: Hints of cold wood ash and buttered granary toast with not quite enough honey. A very evocative scent, which gives way to peaches and cream and Lapsang Souchong and allspice.
Palate: Very robust, and intensely “muscular”, this is a real brute, with all kinds of smokiness. It’s almost like crunching down on a lump of coal (but one coated in beautifully sweet toffee). Hints of motor oil and ground ginger appear. After a time there’s just a hint of cordite in the crisp air of a winter morning…
Finish: Good length, drawn out by the embers on a fire, vanilla, charred bourbon barrels and toffee apples by a fireworks display.
Overall: A powerful whisky, and one which would be well suited in a hipflask for a walk on a wintry morning…