Nose: The nose is rich with oak, winter spice, cinnamon and cloves, before a concoction of fudge, peanut brittle and vanilla tablet rise. Wine-soaked petals, honeyed sultanas and apple blossom linger below, before a touch of foam banana sweetness and gentle wisps of smoke appear.
Palate: Nutty at first, with layers of oily walnut complemented by ground nutmeg and chewy, tannic oak. Full and rich notes of stewed rhubarb and apples emerge with confidence, as does a glaze of Manuka honey. A pinch of fennel brings a clean and elegant spice.
Finish: Lightly oily and long, there’s a lingering note of liquorice root.
Overall: As devastatingly delicious as it is distinctive, this Glenlivet seems almost tailor-made for an Emerald cocktail (A Manhattan with a dash of orange/Angostura bitters).