Nose: As you would expect from a whisky that's spent this long in the wood there are heavy spices immediately apparent - cloves, nutmeg, aged vanilla. But the oak is not the whole story; far from it. There are bushels of dried fruit here, with raisins, sultanas, apricots and prunes all adding to the amazing Christmas aroma. It's almost enough just to nose it...
Palate: Thick, silky and beautiful. A spiced boudoir of a whisky, the fruit and spice from the nose are carried on a dense dry toffee taste that soothes and envelops the mouth. There is a slight sweet-citric note too, like a lemon torte almost, that adds another level of complexity.
Finish: Lasts for minutes on end. Cr?me caramel with molasses and toffee with a pleasant dry balancing note of fresh pepper.
Overall: This cask was a truly amazing find; We enjoyed the first edition but this, though different, is also a true masterpiece offering unrivalled complexity and depth. If you've never tried a 50-year-old, tasting something like this is an unrivalled experience, a landmark in your whisky journey you'll remember for a long time.