CHOCOLATE, CREAM AND MALTED BALI
REGION
Speyside
CASK TYPE
2nd fill toasted hogshead
AGE
21 years
DATE DISTILLED
18 September 1997
SWEET, FRUITY & MELLOW
OUTTURN
231 bottles
CASK NO. 46.79
ABV
55.6%
AUS ALLOCATION
30 bottles
$330.00
CIAL SPE NISH FI
USQUEBAE AN’ BLANKETS WARM SPICY & DRY CASK NO. 58.28
$179.00
A profusion of dried tropical fruit crashed onto the beach amidst coconuts, brazil nuts and dark chocolate that had melted onto the golden sand. Bobbing in the tide we spied an old tea chest packed with jars of golden syrup and tobacco whilst on the warm breeze came the evocative aromas of ground coffee beans and vanilla pods. We were sipping mugs of hot chocolate, lavishly adorned with cream and a dusting of cocoa powder that paired nicely with the ginger and rhubarb crumble that was drizzled with custard. Through the creamy textures more tropical fruit appeared as banana, guava and ripe melon combined on layers of banoffee pie and toasted pine nuts. Finally a sprig of mint brought a fresh sensation that merged with apricot yoghurt and pineapple dipped in dark chocolate on the lasting finish. After spending 18 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead this was transferred to a toasted 2nd fill hogshead for the remainder of its maturation.
REGION
Speyside
CASK TYPE
Refill ex-bourbon barrel
AGE
13 years
DATE DISTILLED
21 April 2005
OUTTURN
225 bottles
ABV
59.7%
AUS ALLOCATION
30 bottles
If you sniff too deeply, the dry, spirity nature is like a frozen thistle up the nose, but treated with caution it gives pears and toffee apples, gingerbread, juniper bushes and gin; a warm blanket of laundry and blotting paper. With water it settles nicely – pot pourri, snuff, ginger snaps, Blackpool rock and raisins. The initial neat palate is sweet and tart – apple strudel, lemon peel, fresh fruits; with pepper, chilli and cinnamon heat on the finish. The reduced palate is even quite civilised – and tasty; jelly beans, spearmint Mentos and chalky lavender sweets – just a hint of cheek-tingling wasabi at the end. 15