When Fable whiskies, the new independent bottler, released the "Ghost of Clanyard Bay" collection, i was interested in only buying samples of each bottle, (which are pretty good looking), to see if they where a good option for future purchases. Actually, i'm quite impressed with both expressions i have already tasted, and the latest one was this Mannochmore "The Hound". I have to fully disclose that this is my first ever Mannochmore, not a small fact considering this is my 898 whisky review. Mannochmore is a Speyside distillery, which is one of Johnnie Walker's (Diageo's) malts. Bottled at 55.4%abv, Pale straw color. On the nose, it starts slow, but then it was incredible. Yellow apples right upfront. It is very soft on the nose for a 55.4%abv, it is like a light apple juice, that you can buy in a gas station. Very perfumed, super floral. Pears. It has a gentle aroma. Not much on the nose. I intentionally swirl the Glencairn in order to wake up some notes, and a powerful, raw, acetone aroma appeared. It is just an apple juice. A nice one. BUT, after the first sip, a very creamy mixture of hazelnut and chocolate has appeared, very appealing; it is exactly the inside cream of a Ferrero Rocher bom bom. Where was this amazing chocolate, cocoa and hazelnut note on the first aroma? It is fantastic. Have you ever had a "Kinder Bueno"? It is exactly that aroma. Letting it breath for a long while will release green gooseberries. On the palate, caramel, chocolate for a second. Hay, green grass. Some tobacco, very herbal. Ginger spice is trying to overpower my mouth. Salt is all over the place. Fruity. The second sip is all about a chocolate and hazelnut cream. Super enjoyable and easy to hold on the palate. The ginger is still there. There is acidity from apples is also present. It is an interesting nice dram. Aftertaste was the lowest score here. Ginger. Lots of new wood. Very bitter and oaky. I have said a lot of times, that "oaky" and "woody" are notes that i try to avoid as much as possible. Wall Paint. Aftertaste feels inmature. Tastes like wall paint, really. Sawdust and cream. Overall, i was very impressed from this Mannochmore, specially because of the chocolate/hazelnut profile. It was soooo good. The aftertaste was very dissapointing and that is where this 12yo dram dropped most of its points. Still, i have grown interest on this distillery that somehow has flown under my whisky radar. My score for this very good single malt, with a dissappointing finish, is a fair 85 over 100.