Aberlour 12 Year Sherry Cask Matured

Nose starts predominantly with sherried oak, but not one-note; you can sense the slight smokiness of the charred barrel and the sherry wrapped around it. Buttery brown sugar. Raisin is apparent. Surprisingly spicy in first taste. Bit of pepper. Sweet, with brown sugar, a hint of maple sugar, maybe even a wisp of chocolate. A toasty smokiness emerges after the first wave of sweet and spicy. Raisins and apple. Weirdly buttery, if that makes sense. Fairly strong alcohol bite for only being 43%.