Tullibardine 9 Year Red Wine Cask

I wasn’t originally going to create an entry for this bottle. This is the Christmas bottling from my local whisky shop that you get as a member. But it is limited to 66 bottles and it doesn’t make sense really to make entries here for these ultra small editions - but it just so good. I am sure there are quite a few Tullibardine IB’s out there which might deliver a similar experience. This particular one is from 'Malts of Scotland' (a German IB) and was matured for 9 years in red wine casks. And this is presented on the nose right up front. Buttery red grapes and berries. The highland whisky character is still dominating though with fresh yellow fruit aromas and heather honey. It properly boosts the wine aspect in very corner of your nose. Very nicely balanced between sweet and sour. It isn’t silky nor is it thick (as a Glendronach for example) but it’s strong suit is the highland red wine mix, which is nicely executed here. Later an appearance of dry wild summer hay including lavender and other florals. The palate is where it gets interesting. It is like nicely spiced red wine sauce with honey stirred and cooked together. The stuff that you would make to cure some BBQ goods in over night. (I wonder if you could actually do this with this whisky?) There then is also some very nice roasted chilis. That all continues well into the finish with some herbal and oak notes added. Water brings out more sweetness on the palate but also more chili-heat. Impressive stuff really. I have had Tullibardine before but never at cask strength, which it obviously needs for me to fit my preferences. Only downside is it’s young spirity character. This whisky a couple of years older would be amazing.