Noah's Mill Small Batch No. 15 Year Old, Batch No. 541, 2005, 57.1%

The caramel and toffee bring plenty of sweetness, but dark cocoa and peppery rye spice give it a firmer counterpoint. That balance keeps the rich character from reading as simply sugary.

Reviewed by BirchSoda

Nose

Walnuts, prunes, floral honey, candied cherries, spearmint, ginger, polished antique oak.

Palate

Burnt caramel, toffee, dark cocoa, nutmeg, cloves, peppery rye spice.

Finish

Lingering and warming, with sweet baking spices, vanilla, tobacco, dry charred wood.