Whisky : Aultmore 7 Year SMWS 73.113 “Sweet, earthy and amazing”

Country/Region : Scotland/Speyside

ABV : 67.5%

Cask : Refill Oloroso Sherry Butt

Age : 7 Years (Distilled 6 June 2011)

Nose : Fruity and rich, the nose has coffee and chocolate along with dried apple slices, strawberries, and pluots.  A bit of creamy soft cheese and sweet roasted corn give some malty sweetness and depth. 

Palate : Thick and lovely mouthfeel though there is no mistaking how hot this is— it needs time and a bit of water to really open up.  Tart mountain apples or quince give a unique fruitiness to the dram.  Molasses and espresso give some rich sticky depth.  The richness and spice come together slowly to reveal Mexican chocolate— dark and bitter laced with cinnamon and chili pepper.

Finish : Medium length with sweet fruits.

Score : 4

Mental Image : A candied crab apple.

Something Better : Arran 9 Year LMDW (Similar tart fruit and bold spirit notes, longer finish)

Something Similar : Springbank 19 Year Single Cask (similar espresso and chocolate, more complexity)

Something Worse : Glendronach 12 Year (similar rich spice, candied apple, molasses, less body)

Notes :  This was remarkably easy to drink for a dram that packed a real punch.  This was full of malty youthful intensity— it was high heat and intense flavors.  Even before adding a bit of water there was wonderful complexity in spite of the youth.  A few drops tamped down some of the fire and heat and brought out more of the luscious chocolatey oloroso notes. Almost hard to believe this was a refill cask.

This bottle was a bonus dram at the end of a tasting— and even after trying some really wonderful pours this one stood out.  It stood out for its potential, I would bet that this bottle continues to open up and reveal additional layers now that it has been opened.