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Reference Series II.3 features the exact same proportions of youthful and old, rich whiskies as Reference Series II. However, you'll notice that the colour has changed quite significantly. This is because the .3 releases of the Reference Series address the use of e150a, otherwise known as spirit caramel.
Spirit caramel is legally used by distilleries and brands to achieve consistency of colour between batches whilst not affecting the flavour. However, some connoisseurs and aficionados feel very differently. With the introduction of e150a to the Reference Series II recipe, II.3 provides you an opportunity to taste the same whisky before and after the addition of spirit caramel, allowing you to form your own opinion.
Sweet barley, orange and buttercups, as well as some cakey-ness - all notes from II, but are they coming through differently? Given a little time in the glass the juicy fruits that led the nose of II do emerge as well.
More fruit now with that old fashioned Sherry influence that permeates II. Chocolate develops towards the end with some rich oak.
Black Forest gâteau, milk chocolate and fresh cherries. Glorious.
Very similar notes to II here, as should be expected with the only difference being the addition of E150a. Are there differences at all? Try tasting them blind (which, due to the difference in colour may actually have to involve a blindfold) and let us know what you think...
£11.15 - £103.95
I had to do a blind tasting to make absolutely sure that I wasn't being influenced by the colour, but to me this definitely tastes richer, more rounded and better than the standard 'II' edition.