Cask No. 31.34

Cask No. 31.34

Muted Hebridean smoke

Highland, Island

The nose was immediately promising gentle smoke drifting over Hebridean beaches, apricot jam, blossom honey, whin-scented soap, menthol tobacco and a comforting leather sofa. The sweet, viscous palate had toffee, sweet coconut and mussels, with fantastically muted smoke (wood smoke and aromatic cigars) the finish and odd mixture of sherry vinegar and lemon zest. On the reduced nose jam sponge, splashes of citrus and enjoying Coquilles St Jacques among the gorse bushes. The palate now lemon squeezed on calamari, key lime pie and salty Twiglets. After 27 years in ex-bourbon wood this was transferred to a first-fill charred red wine hogshead.

Drinking tip: With seafood.

Colour:Light apricot gold
Cask:First-fill charred red wine barrique
Age: 28 years
Date distilled:September 1988
Alcohol: 48.3%
USA allocation: 90 bottles