Cask No. 9.89

Cask No. 9.89                    

Balanced and harmonious

Speyside, Spey

The nose began slightly sharp and spirity (hot lemon sauce, brambles, nettles, balsam and pine) but lots of goodies too – coconut, liquorice allsorts, tinned pineapple, dried fruit, vanilla. With time and a little water it became dusty and woody (newly sawn wood, workshop shavings, tea, hay, pepper) – but with teasing sweetness (honey, chocolate, orange jelly) and delicate roses. The palate flooded the mouth with flavour – dark cherries, dark chocolate, strawberry jam, blackberry, lemon and lime – all nicely agitated by tongue-tingling peppery spice. In reduction, bitter fruits see-sawed with honey, raisin and creamy custard sweetness – bringing balance and harmony. Rothes’ oldest distillery.

Drinking tip: A contemplative dram – or for a special occasion – easy on the water.