Well it’s the new year. I was so close to hitting 300 tastes before the end of 2018, and if it wasn’t for a nasty cold that hit me on Christmas I probably would have made it. C’est La Vie. I’m finally feeling more like myself so I figured the best thing to do was have a dram, one that’s older than I am, and thanks to @PBMichiganWolverine I just so happen to have one. Light Fruity Sherry is a 44 year old blended scotch from Cadenhead. Bottled at 43.4% ABV, natural color of a dark copper and is non chill filtered. Only 346 bottles were released. The nose is light, fruity sherry...I guess they were quite literal with their naming process. It starts with melons, both cantaloupe and honeydew, then transitions into berries, raspberry and blackberry. Oranges, mangos and apricots. Soft sherry notes but very pleasant. Vanilla, apples, even a faint apple cider vinegar and grapes. The general rule for whisky is to let it sit a minute in the glass for every year in the cask, so I let it sit a while longer. Coming back to it I got chocolate notes, caramel and chocolate licorice. Wood spices, cloves, nutmeg, chai spices, and a salty note appears. Not a sweet dram, but quite savory. The palate has plenty of wood spice up front, but also plenty of fruits. Tropical fruits - mango, oranges, pineapple juice and even some faint banana. Spice cake, nutmeg and light oaky notes. Caramel and creme brûlée. Not a very deep or complex palate considering it’s advanced age, but nice nonetheless. A medium to full bodied mouthfeel that is quite oily and mouth coating. The finish is medium short which is surprising again given its age. Mango, oranges, banana and caramel. While this is definitely a mature whisky, there really isn’t much that separates it from others less than half it’s age. No trace of any grain harshness, which is quite welcome. It’s good, but it just didn’t do much for me. 3.75 Cheers