Cask No. 85.88 Taiwan ship's timbers and tar

ship's timbers and tar

This producer has long been the darling of blenders all over Scotland for its combination of fruit-forward freshness and sumptuous texture

Then came the richness of tobacco

Hints of butterscotch and soft pear emerged as we approached a finish that returned to aged wine and wood alongside malted barley and violets

soon followed by a four-layer chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream

Cask No. 85.88 Taiwan ship's timbers and tarThe nose combined nut brittle, raspberry brownie and cherry cola with salted pretzels, black tea, pine cones, leather and cigarettes trampled on wooden floorboards. The palate followed red liquorice, bakewell tart, pomegranate and cherry menthol cough drops with a cockle warming finish of sweet chilli and pickled ginger. The reduced nose produced abundant orchard fruits, cherry coulis on vanilla cheesecake, tawny port and sangria with lots of orange.