Nose: Immediately full and commanding. Fresh and preserved tropical fruits, roasted nuts, leather car seats, a hint of smoked tea, treacle toffee, crème caramel, stewed stone fruits and a touch of orange oil. Lovely. 9/10 Palate: Luscious and seductive from the first drop, the oily texture carries flavours of grilled tropical fruit, chocolate mole, butterscotch sauce and oatmeal biscuits but all the rich sweetness is perfectly balanced by a delicate melange of spices. There is a meaty quality to this malt but it’s not a barbecue presence, more like Cumberland sauce suggesting the presence of red meat laced with fruit. 8/10 Finish: Long. Oily, slightly drying and delightfully grubby with the dark tropical, almost rum-like notes persisting. 8.5/10 A stunner. I have not tried this previously, due to the cost, but when I found a bar-pour at the Aberfeldy distillery it just had to be done … and now I want a bottle. This is like all the best parts of an old vintage Balblair crossed with a light, fruity-style Mortlach. Lovely whisky, if you can afford it then just buy a bottle and enjoy. Everything produced by Craigellachie is worth tasting, but this is the best of their lineup that I have so far tried. Tasted as a 30ml pour at a distillery bar. “Excellent” : 89/100 (4.75 stars)