Another one of these ‘extra old’ vatted malts bottled by The Whisky Agency, or is it ‘relaXed Old’… this release was done for the Maltstock 2016 festival in September. Participants had it there as an aperitif and could order a bottle afterwards.
Blended Malt XO (44,9%, Whisky Agency for Maltstock 2016, sherry wood)
Blended Malt XO (44,9%, Whisky Agency for Maltstock 2016, sherry wood)Nose: starts on burnt raisins. Dark caramel, black tobacco. In the high tones we have blackberries, cassis, oranges, a little mint. Walnuts. Clean matchsticks but they fade away. A damp leafy side too.
Mouth: again it’s more on the charred side, including walnuts, some pepper, even a hint of mustard. Rum and raisins in the background. Chocolate. Seville oranges with clove. Quite savoury and herbal, with touches of cough syrup.
Finish: medium long, on spices and herbs, with a little plain oak.
A style of (European oak?) sherry that we regularly found in Glenrothes or Tamdhu, among others. Not entirely my kind, but you do get an authentic style with old touches for an affordable price. Around € 100-110, now also available in some stores.
Score: 84/100