We think that the old distillery of the McDonald clan is sadly underrated, so to show what it’s really capable of we wanted to find a really stunning cask. It didn’t take too long to stumble on Butt 657, in which the Oloroso sherry character perfectly matches the robust spirit. At the nose it’s ultra-complex: grapefruit, mixed tropical fruits, wine poached pears, maraschino cherries, sweet oranges and tangerines, ending in a slightly waxy and smoky note. At the palate it’s intense but smooth, requiring just a tiny drop of water. All the aromas keep showing up here too, especially the cherries, for a very pleasant balance of sweet and spicy, with a tannic note of black tea and a long, lingering finale which becomes increasingly peppery.