This is a purchase I made solely because it was discontinued. I’ve never had the new year-old, so I can’t say how compare this old flagship bottling their old one. Instead, I’ll review this one on its own merits. Nose: Gala apple, pear, and apricot with some light honeydew. Orange citrus and cocoa. Red and green grape with some toffee, vanilla, butterscotch, date, fig, and raisin. Car seat leather. Almond, cinnamon, and oak. Standard sherry cask pleasantness. Palate: More of the gala apple, pear, apricot, and honeydew. Caramel, vanilla, brown sugar, and toffee. Almond and milk chocolate. Orange and milk chocolate. Cherry, grape, date, fig, and plum. Velvety mouthfeel. Nice palate. Finish: Pear, gala apple, and apricot. Nice orange citrus. Milk chocolate and cocoa. Almond, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and oak. Short-medium length. Well, I’m glad I grabbed this. I’m 2/2 with Tamdhu. Batch Strength 004 clearly beats this, but that’s not much of a detractor. This is a damn good malt in its own right. 3.75/5. It was well worth a try. I will be interested to see how the 12 year serves as a permanent replacement. Until then, well done Tamdhu.