Scarlett Marzipan

SPIRIT NOTES

The blended malt is the rather tasty result of a combination of Speyside and Highland whiskies. Fully matured in sherry seasoned butts, a balance is struck between the use of refill and first-fill wood, and a fusion of Spanish and American oak influence.

On the neat nose we described it as a Scottish-Spanish alliance. Chewy highland toffee, oatmeal porridge with dried fruit compote and apple crumble were met by churros and a glass of oak-aged rioja. The initial taste certainly had those expected tannins but was almost immediately brimming with flavours of red fruits and toasted vanilla. Following reduction, the aroma of terracotta pots, sautéed wild mushrooms and salted almonds, plus farmhouse cider and red-wine pear frangipane tart, made this an utterly entertaining experience. The taste was like traditional Welsh cakes, a cross between a cookie, a scone and a pancake.