Tastes

Fresh and aromatic nose bringing to mind varnished oak, pine tree cones and a herbal mix of anise and mint. The deep charred cask finish is an inspired move; the dram is full bodied and rich on the palate. Orange jam, smoked meat and a strong allspice flavour will stay with you for the duration of the long and oily finish. Fresh mint and a hint of black pepper to cap it all off.

Creme caramel and flower honey with a hint of heather on the nose. The taste is red apples, butterscotch and a touch of peppermint. A short finish, offering up notes of sweet barley, mint and cinnamon. Side note: this blended malt is the vatted result of three William Grant & Sons single malts: Kininvie, Balvenie and Glenfiddich. Originally intended for mixing, it also makes for an easy sipping drink.

Nose: Milk chocolate, dark red cherries, ginger and nutmeg. Palate: mild spices, bitter sweet fruits, malty vanilla. Finish: Short duration with a sherry dryness, chocolate covered raisins and a final note of waxy walnuts. Overall: Previously the 1824 Gold, now re-branded as the Double Cask Gold, this is a NAS bottle and unfortunately it shows. If your mind’s set on a Macallan, pay a bit over and get the Double Cask 12 Year.

Nose: sweet grapes, dried raisins, oak wood, cinnamon and nutmeg. Palate: medium body, rich, sweet, vanilla whiff, spices and dark fruits. Finish: oily, grape must and spices. Overall, a try-hard sherry bomb. Good enough for the uninitiated to sherry whiskies who wonder about the sherry cask effect, but not at the current price. Bring it down to the Original’s.