Blackadder Statement Springbank 2001 17 Year Old Sherry Cask Finish Cask 130

This was tasted without knowing what it was, and it's remarkably good. Smell: Dark Chocolate, Toffee, Truffles, Mackerels, Raspberries, Orange Marmalade, Walnuts, Hazlenuts, Honey, Grapefruits, Salted Caramel, Cinnamon, Brown Sugar, Brown Butter Taste: Salted Caramel, Raspberries, Toffee, Milk Chocolate, Raisins, Prunes, Luxardo Cherries, Sultanas, Apricots, Honey, Coconuts, Bananas, Nutmeg, Blood Oranges, Cloves Aftertaste: Prunes, Milk Chocolate, Toffee, Raisins, Figs, Salted Cod, Raspberries, Chocolate Covered Luxardo Cherries, Mackerels, Roses

During a blind tasting of seven Blackadder whiskies, I correctly identified the distillery for this one. I've had the good fortune to sample enough well-aged, sherry-finished Springbanks to recognize the profile when it's executed well: a savory combination of walnuts, tea, and soy sauce, with a subtle peat undertone and a touch of dry tannins. Alternatively, it might have just been a lucky guess. In any case, it was a pleasure to try this.