The Exceptional Blend

This is the first edition. From the label: "An extraordinary range of mature grain and malt whiskey casks from North British, Strathclyde, Carsebridge, Glenfarclas, Ben Nevis, Balvenie, Kininvie, Glenfiddich, Alt-a’Bhainne, Auchroisk, Glenallachie, Westport, Speyside and (of course) Macallan distilleries, were blended and married in first-fill Oloroso sherry butts..." Nose: Honey, vanilla, berries, oranges, nuts and lemon cake. Palate: Silky, slightly viscous and oily with sherry notes and vanilla. Finish: Medium to long and warming with the sherry and lemon cake returning. This whiskey was tightly wound and took a long time to open up. Very rewarding though once it did. I would not purchase it at retail, but it was a great deal at near half of that for a blend which contains however small amount of 33 year old Carsebridge and 30 year old Macallan.

Sutcliffe & Son The Exceptional Blend A harmonious blended Scotch by Don Sutcliffe & Willie Phillips. The Exceptional Blend combines Single Malts & Scottish grain Whisky. In fact, many of the premium spirits from the other two have been included, such as that 30-year-old Macallan. But there's more. Eleven Single Malt distilleries & three grain distilleries are represented in total. It begins aromatically with notes of salted toffee, caramel & almonds with citrus zest; develops a rich character with notes of butter toffee & tart apple with pepper; and concludes with a long finish of sweet ginger biscuits. January / June 2018 / August 2022

Another interesting one, featuring some classic dark sugar notes but with fruit on the finish. Nose - caramel, bright fruit and grain Taste - starts with light caramel and finishes with an unexpected fruit note, like strawberries and flowers Finish - pleasant floral finish with absolutely no burn.

Light and fragrant with a sweet fruity finish, a great option for warmer weather. Flavors of rose, strawberry, and caramel. Reminds me of something finished in a sherry cask.

It's good, but a little too sweet for my preference due to the floral and fruity notes.