I'm happily back from my doctor ordered sabbatical tonight. I'm finally starting to feel somewhat normal again after a bit of a lengthy health scare. I'm going to try to resume this awesome Scottish Distillery Tour by knocking down a couple of samples on this fine, cool Virginia evening. My welcome back dram of choice is a Speyside single malt from Strathisla. This is their 12-year old bottling. This sample was graciously supplied by my friend Pranay. Thanks, sir. This malt is primarily used as a component of several Chivas Bros blended whisky offerings. This somewhat rare single malt version is a standard 40% ABV and clearly has coloring added. On the nose, there's your typical candied fruit and sweet sherry and after I let it sit in the glencairn for about 10 minutes I picked up a nice hit of green apple and cinnamon spice. Like warm, apple pie. The palate is almost identical: sherry, orchard fruits and a hint of grandma's apple pie. Sadly, it's thin all the way from beginning to end with a finish that is short and uninspired, to say the least. There's no burn whatsoever and the flavors hang around and feel artificial. If this is how this malt tastes from the cask (after blending it down to the low ABV), then this should really only be used in blends. There isn't much redeeming here. Even the $35-40 you'd have to spend on a bottle could probably be better spent elsewhere on a higher quality single malt. Thanks again to Pranay for the sample and the ability to tick off another distillery on our ambitious tour. Mark it down and move along. Cheers. Oh yeah, I'm thrilled to be back. Hopefully for the long haul this time.