Bottled exclusively for Inter Caves France
Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Highland Park distilled on 12 December 2015, Fully aged in first fill Tawny Butt Port Cask, Cask Strength, 58.3%, only 424 bottles, 500ml
« Flick through the glossy brochure listing luxurious extras before taking a brand new car for a test drive, inhale that fresh interior smell, then open the windows and drive near orchards. »
Colour: Deep mahogany
Nose: Concentrated and fleshy. Candied exotic fruit, mango, guava, roasted pineapple, explode first, joined by deep notes of aged balsamic vinegar, old leather, dried figs and black grapes. A maritime touch of seaweed and damp salt adds tension. The whole is wrapped in a smoky veil of dark spices, cloves and sandalwood. With aeration, the complexity intensifies: beeswax, sweet curry, wilted lime blossom, fermented fruit.
Palate: Opulent and full-bodied. Rich, velvety texture, almost syrupy. Black plum, burnt caramel, vanilla custard, milk chocolate with fleur de sel. A vinous acidity balances the density, blood orange zest, preserved lemon. The woodiness is subtle and well-integrated, with pine resin and a hint of delicately vegetal peat. The palate lingers on umami notes, almost gamey.
Finish: Exceptionally long. Persistent spices, white pepper, nutmeg, dried herbs, light tobacco, very fine notes of bitter roots, gentian, black liquorice. The peat becomes more camphorated and medicinal, coating the palate with a resinous film. At the very end, honeyed notes of heather and lavender appear against an almost vinous background. The empty glass is a concentrate of ash, leather and spicy port.
Conclusion: A rich, dark and deep profile. Between candied exotic fruits, saline tension, noble wood and smoky touches, everything is there to offer an intense, complex and resolutely singular tasting experience. A whisky with character, to be savoured for a long time, until the last breath of the empty glass.