Reference Series III.1 uses the exact same recipe as the fantastic Reference Series III (which, as you may remember, features over 50% well-matured single malt alongside two more youthful, but still excellent, blended malts). The difference here is that approximately 1/3 of III.1 has been finished in fresh 50 litre ex-Pedro Ximénez casks for a month.
A spectacular whisky in its own right, III.1 presents you with the chance to discover just how the finishing process can affect a whisky's character. Tasty whisky and genuine insight into blended malt production processes - what could be better?
Creamy with fresh berries, macadamia and Ferrero Rocher. The coffee bean, calves leather and rich toffee from III are all there too before more perfumed notes emerge, crème fraîche and fruit and nut.
Even thicker and chewier than III, you need a fork for this. Dates and raisins again, with a little more prune but it's all wrapped in chocolate still. Great intensity.
Thick chocolate, cocoa mousse, coffee cake and the faintest suggestion of mint but the herbal notes have been dialled down in favour of darker notes throughout.
Another fantastic .1 release from the Reference Series. With approximately 1/3 having been finished in fresh PX casks, III.1 achieves incredible intensity.
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I'm doing a tasting of all of this series at the moment, and the way that the Sherry takes centre-stage here is much more welcome than in I.1. The sweetness makes a lot more sense in the context of some slightly older whisky in the mix. Really yummy.
