It’s that time of year again – our favourite time of year! – When we dive into the wonderful world of whisky matured or finished in sherry casks. This box is crammed fuller than a festive stocking with perfect, warming, fireside drams, bursting with Christmassy flavours. A very merry, sherry whiskymas to one and all! Ho ho ho! - The Dram Team
A Very Sherry Whiskymas! December 2022 Box
Glen Moray, Sherry Cask Finish
Despite being available in many supermarkets, Glen Moray somehow fly under the radar, producing excellent quality whiskies at remarkably affordable prices. This sherry cask finished dram from their entry-level "Elgin Classic" range is without a single malt peer at its price point. Wonderfully sippable and warming, this should be a shelf-staple throughout the winter months!
Tasting notes
Nose: Sun dried fruits, toasted cinnamon and toffee candy.
Palate: Sweet vanilla oak, dark chocolate and oriental spice.
Finish: Mouth tingling warm spice combines with bittersweet dark chocolate to deliver a long rich satisfying finish.
Lochlea, Fallow Edition
We've managed to secure every single one of Lochlea's very limited allocation-only releases so far, and were very happy to find out that their latest such release happens to be matured solely in 100% ex-Oloroso sherry butts - perfect for this box! This bottling reflects the season of autumn on the Lochlea farm, when the fields are left fallow to rest after a busy harvest - ready for the cycle to being again when the time is right.
Tasting notes:
Nose: Ripe red fruits & freshly baked banana loaf.
Palate: Dried fruit, leathery notes, malt biscuits.
Finish: Medium length, with hints of aniseed & moreish floral rose petals.
Scallywag, Winter Edition
This limited edition seasonal release of Douglas Laing's Speyside blended malt is bottled at a very-robust cask strength and consists of 100% sherry cask matured whiskies. Designed to be the perfect winter warmer, the full-size bottle even comes with its very own miniature festive woollen scarf!
Tasting notes:
Nose: Anticipate the sweet scent of candied cherries and dark chocolate.
Palate: Reveals an array of spectacular spices including cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger.
Finish: Lingers like the cold air outside, with moreish notes of spiced oak and freshly baked fruitcake soaked in sherry.
Indri, Trini
Joining a very well-regarded cohort of quality single malt producers from India, newcomer Indri's ‘Trini’ Three Wood uses a combination of Pedro Ximinez sherry, ex-Bourbon and ex-wine casks to deliver a wonderfully rounded and flavoursome whisky that has been widely recognised with a series of high-profile awards.
Tasting notes:
Nose: Hints of black tea, caramelised pineapple & oak, then vanilla & honey & traces of spiced tannins, topped up with vinous raisin & sweet sherry notes.
Palate: Gentle spice & wood come through, then nutty flavours & hints of burnt pineapple, citrus & raisins.
Finish: Subtle & balanced. A smooth & long after taste with sweet fruity flavours, lingering long after.
Glen Scotia, Seasonal Release 2022
We love a Glen Scotia, and we are always excited if we can grab one of their seasonal releases for our festive edition. This 2022 edition weighs in at a hefty ABV, and at 12 years old, spent its final year of maturation in Amontillado sherry casks. Glen Scotia's signature coastal Campbeltown style is augmented beautifully by the Amontillado influence, resulting in a warm, nutty dram with lingering vanilla notes and a mildy dry finish.
Tasting notes:
Nose: Maritime notes of sea spray with sweet honey and caramel.
Palate: Creamy vanilla and salted caramel, are balanced with warming spicy notes of cinnamon and nutmeg
Finish: Long. A nutty finish with gentle warming cinnamon spice and a mildly dry finish.
Annandale, Man O'Words, 2015 Oloroso Butt
Historically active from 1836 to 1924, Annandale Distillery was resurrected in 2007 by two founders, self-described as "(hopefully) sane scientists-cum-business people", who used unparalleled scientific rigour to design two unique spirit styles. A panel of sensory experts established optimal flavour profiles, & industry-legend Dr Jim Swan designed a bespoke method to produce them. All single cask releases, this unpeated Man O'Words bottling is from an authentic Oloroso sherry butt. Incredible stuff!
Tasting notes:
Nose: Beautifully sweet notes on the nose of cream soda, pear drops, fresh green Granny Smith apple.
Palate: Wonderful burst of tropical fruits including mango, pineapple and cool fresh melon leads on to lingering notes of vanilla and creamy caramel.
Finish: Unusually dry and nutty finish with a ginger spice.
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