Cadenhead Creations 26 Year Light Creamy Vanilla

While more recognized for its single cask bottlings, the blends released under Cadenhead's Creation range are worth exploring for their often significant age statements and notable components. This 26-year-old malt blend, one of two 20cl "cask end" bottles acquired recently, includes whiskies from Aultmore, Braeval, Bruichladdich, Glen Grant, Glenlivet, Strathisla, and Tamdhu. The whiskies were combined in a single hogshead cask in 2006 and bottled in 2017, meaning they were at least 15 years old when vatted. The resulting approximately 288 bottles were named "Light Creamy Vanilla," but the reason for this name is unclear. The aroma offers warm pecan pie, peanut skins, and rich, dry sherry notes. Adding water reveals a hint of lemon. The palate is syrupy, with flavors of nuts, dark brown sugar, and poached pears. The finish is long, nutty, and rich. It's delicious and offers great value at 70 pounds a bottle, especially compared to what a similar recipe might cost from another producer. Further tastings might even warrant a higher rating. As a side note: The disconnect between the "Light Creamy Vanilla" label and the flavors detected was so puzzling that an inquiry was made to the Cadenhead store about a potential labeling error, given the handwritten labels. The store manager confirmed the label was correct, noting it was a rich batch that also reminded him of a sherry cask. Therefore, the names of these Creations should not be taken too literally. It seems someone at the warehouse may have confused their tasting notes with their coffee orders.