Nose

Marvellously rich and fruity. Unmistakable sherry influence but lifted in complexity by a hint of raspberry, apple and peat. The oaky vanilla is beautifully synchronised with a mollassed sweetness, the sweet pipe tobacco.

Palate

An immediate explosion of spice and sweet oloroso defuses slowly so the malt gains a firm and chewy hand. Very substantial.

Finish

Slightly hard and metallic with some smoke and malt still hanging on against the drying oak.

Comment

Highly impressive whisky, quite exceptional for Speyburn. Only the over-firm finale stops this from being one on the top five Speyside expressions of the last five years.