Glendullan 2008 12 Year Old SMWS 84.36

Nose: Neat, it presents deep, rich scents of dried fruit, polished wood, aged leather, and pipe tobacco. Sweeter fruit and orange liqueur notes linger in the background. With water, the aroma becomes sweeter, fruitier, fresher, and very pleasant. Palate: The initial taste neat is substantial and full, with flavors of treacle tarts, date pudding, raisins, and black coffee. Orange and hot spice notes emerge later, but they are unusual and accompanied by a tannic, metallic sensation. It's not bad; a friend described it as resembling an old water fountain, which is accurate. It reminded me of tasting the iron-rich waters in Bath. The alcohol is potent, making the mouth water, and the texture is rich. Diluting it makes the palate much smoother, revealing abundant sweet citrus and white grape flavors. It also reduces the tannic/metallic character until it's nearly gone, transforming into a spicy ginger note. The texture becomes smoother with water. Finish: Moderate. Dark chocolate and orange zest give way to a drying sensation that softens into a pleasant sweetness. Watering down shortens the finish and enhances the citrus sweetness. Glendullan is not widely recognized as a distillery, as most of its production is used in Johnnie Walker blends. However, it is also commonly sold as a single malt under the Singleton name, and a Glendullan "Flora and Fauna" bottling exists. These single malts generally share a characteristic grassy, floral profile. However, this whisky is completely different from any Singleton expression I've encountered (thankfully), which is due to the cask aging. The Scotch Malt Whisky Society acquired this whisky after 10 years in ex-bourbon casks, then transferred it to a first-fill ex-sauternes barrique for an additional 2 years. The yield was 232 bottles at cask strength of 56.1%, without chill-filtration or coloring. Personally, I preferred this with a teaspoon of water, as it gently blends and unifies the profile, but one could argue that dilution accentuates the sweet wine cask notes to the point where they dominate the experience. "Very Good": 85/100 (4 stars)

The aroma is profound and dark, truly fitting its moniker. It boasts a rich, leathery scent reminiscent of fine wood furniture, with a hint of tobacco. This melds with notes of toffee-covered red fruits, plums, and dates. A subtle spice of clove or nutmeg is present, alongside citrus notes that evoke mulled wine spices. A minor ethanol sting is noticeable, though it's likely a minor quibble. The palate is robust and engaging, with a metallic quality akin to an old water fountain. The high alcohol content is evident. It delivers intense flavors of brown sugar, mocha, and caramel, layered over sticky date pudding, leather, and a lighter honey that emerges from the dominant caramel. Bright notes of chocolate, cinnamon-spiced orange zest, and red fruit are also present. The finish is of medium length, featuring ample milk chocolate, a spritz of orange, tannic leather, and a touch of floral brightness at the very end. It concludes with a surprisingly subtle exit. A small addition of water tempers the alcohol, smoothing the edges and harmonizing the palate into a cohesive, creamy, slightly fruity, and spiced toffee experience. While enjoyable with water, the whisky truly shines when allowed its full, zesty, and somewhat complex character as bottled. This is unequivocally a sherry-forward profile, but the decade spent in ex-bourbon casks imparts a depth of vanillin and tannins, preventing it from becoming monotonous. Many thanks to a friend for the generously shared dram. It's certainly worth exploring if you desire something beyond the typical. Whisky taste #271