85 / 100
The appeal here is the way the spice has company: honeyed vanilla and ripe orange bring some softness, while the smoke stays subtle. That balance sounds inviting to me, especially in a blended whisky with so many warm spice notes. The finish does lean into red chilli, white pepper and gentle heat, so it may be less restrained than I’d prefer, but the mellow sweetness gives that edge a counterpoint.
Reviewed by pocket.tram
- Nose
- Fragrant, spicy notes of orange, cinnamon, aniseed, nutmeg, white pepper, clove and ginger, Subtle smoke, citrus fruits, tropical fruit and apricot
- Palate
- Honeyed vanilla with cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, star anise and cloves, Ginger, subtle wood smoke, ripe oranges, grapes and toasted almonds
- Finish
- Medium to long, with lingering spices, red chilli and white pepper, Mellow sweetness, gentle heat, a final trace of oak and subtle smoke