Dram data:
Distillery: Macduff
Bottler: Gordon & MacPhail’s Connoisseurs Choice
Distilled: February 1989
Bottled: April 2007
Age: 18 years
Limitation: small batch
Price at the time of purchasing: 54€
Casks: Refill Sherry
Alcohol: 43%
Possibly Chillfiltered / no colouring added
Whiskybase link
Tasting notes:
The colour is straw indicating the refill sherry casks were probably (at least partly) third-fill or had seen quite a long first-fill maturation. On to the nose: malty, floral (spring flowers), slightly chalky, dark vanilla pudding, caramel sweeties, toffee, cocoa powder, ripe plums, raisins. On the palate initially very spicy, red pepper, gummy bear sweetness, honey, mouth watering, quite malty. The finish is initially sweet, getting dry with underlying wood notes which linger for quite some time.
Verdict:
When I initially opened the bottle this was quite a bit harsher. After several months it has mellowed down considerably and is now very quaffable. Not the most complex palate and finish but a nice easy-sipping session malt with a fine nose.
Score: 84/100