This time it’s a vatting of five sherry and four bourbon casks (update, it's the other way 'round), the oldest being a venerable 1966 and the youngest a 1991. Colour: amber. Nose: oh well, this is very intriguing, it starts on notes of dark trappist beer (I had a Westmalle the other day that was smelling a bit like this Balvenie). That means ‘good’ caramel, cereals, a lot of malt and then more chocolate and heavy honey (chestnut and such). Superbly unusual. After that, more ‘classic’ dried fruits including plums and raisins. Very interesting… With water: stunning beehivy notes. Mouth (neat): firm and smooth at the same time, fruity and rounded, very sexy. I’d swear the old cask had a lot too say, even if it was probably quite woody (which may have become an asset to the vatting while that might have been ‘too much’ for a single cask). Bags of sultanas, barrows of ripe apricots and lorries of plums and oranges plus touches of cinnamon, dark chocolate and honeydew. Dangerously drinkable, even when neat. With water: almost extraordinary, I’m a fan. This series was a masterstroke. Finish: not the longest but I love glazed chestnuts and there are millions in there. Comments: I’m not sure I don’t like this one even better than the previous batches

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