Enriched by a finish for 30 months in first fill Pedro Ximenez, this very traditional Speyside single malt is quite characterized by the sherry, thanks to the accelerated contact with the walls of the cask offered by the choice of a hogshead compared to the slower maturation imparted by large butts. At the nose it’s winey, nutty, extremely fruity: red and black cherries, orange marmalade, and raisins. Its taste is quite spicy and marked by oaky notes, but while undoubtedly tannic, it’s also very smooth, chewy, creamy and luscious. Dark chocolate, dried plums and apricots, and again raisins and dates. Growing more intense in the finale, with a slightly astringent touch, it has a very robust body and mouthcoating character.