Rattray's Selection Batch No. 2

Bummer, I didn't get to be the first reviewer and I'm positive this is an older bottling. It's a holiday weekend Sunday, and things in Ohio are starting to open up, but not fully. What else is there to do but drink all day and write reviews of my recent buys? Aroma - This has a pretty mild and subtle aroma, supported by a decent proof and some rich malt. I get apples, vanilla, some slightly tarter fruit notes, mild but very noticeable oak, some light cinnamon/baking spices, and as I keep smelling, more and more spices emerge. Initially, it smelled a bit like sour apple pie, but those notes have shifted to resemble a day-old cinnamon roll. Every time I return to it, I detect something similar yet different regarding these pleasant dessert qualities. That said, it's still subtle with some body, but not rich at all. I'm not detecting any clear influence on the aroma from the six-month maturation in sherry casks, but I imagine it's blending well with the sweet, fruity character of the Speyside and is somewhat hidden by the oak. Palate - A wonderfully intricate and varied whisky with a full range of tastes and experiences. At first, it's somewhat sweet but subdued; the older whisky is trying to reveal itself but is a bit reserved. Perhaps it will open up with more time and air, though it's been open for a few weeks, so it's had some opportunity. It then shifts to more oak spice with cinnamon and toasted oak notes. But we're not done; the cinnamon intensifies and bites as the sweetness develops into darker fruits, possibly hinting at the sherry now with a light chocolate note. The finish is a bit tart, really concentrating on the back of the tongue, creating a very different taste. However, make no mistake, the oak and sweetness are still coating the rest of your mouth, leaving you with a complex and highly satisfying whisky. I do find this one a bit spicier, drier, and perhaps too oak-forward for some drinkers. I'm not one of them, but I've had this a few times, and on some occasions, I was quite sensitive to oak bitterness, and it didn't come across well then. It's a demanding dram from what I typically consider to be milder malts. I'd rate this one in the 90-91 range, which for me is 4 stars. This is an excellent dram and definitely worth the cost. If you come across this and enjoy bourbon maturation and oak notes with a touch of sweetness for balance, I think you'll like this one.

Nose: sweet, powdered sugar at first that shifts to caramelized sugar by the end of the inhale, vanilla, charred oak. Taste: acidic at first (citrus? can't identify), grassy on the exhale through the nose, charred oak, burnt marshmallow, smoky as it fades, earthy like beets.