The nose starts with cherry brandy, dark chocolate and polished leather then candied pecans, hay and a seaside rocky minerality followed by raspberries, blackberries and orange gelato that transitions to mild baking spices and freshly lacquered oak furniture with high ethanol burn. The taste is a rich and creamy mouthfeel starting with a moderate spice that slowly fades to cherries jubilee, dark chocolate mocha and polished leather then candied pecans, hay and a seaside rocky minerality followed by raspberries, blackberries and charred oranges that transitions to mild baking spices and freshly lacquered oak furniture with high ethanol burn. The finish is long with candied orange peel, raspberry pie, blackberries, seaside rocky minerality, leather and Black Forest cake. For just being 9 years old, this has come together incredibly well that the flavors are bold and rich with a mix of berries, hay, seaside minerality and well-aged oak that suffers from a mild youthful astringency that could have used some additional aging to polish out. After trying a few of Bruichladdich’s experiments, I’ve found that they don’t always work out well for my palate but this one turned out fantastic and I hope Bruichladdich does more Rivesaltes cask matured whiskies and possibly even a peated version. A huge thanks to @PBMichiganWolverine for the generous sample.