Whisky: Macduff 11 Year (2006), Creative Whisky Company Cask 101751

Country/Region: Scotland/Highland

ABV: 53.4%

Cask: Refill Oloroso Hogshead

Age: 11 Years (Distilled 11 Oct. 2006)

Nose: Creamy cupcake frosting with buttercream, vanilla, and orchard fruits; apples and pears jumped in with pastry crust and a kiss of black pepper.

Palate: Medium-bodied with a bushel full of apples and orchard fruits, lacquered wood, peppercorns, and mild notions of cream and vanilla; hints of plum and apricot preserves rose to the surface at the end with a touch of citrus and some drying tannic astringency.

Finish: Medium-length and slightly drying with wood, citrusy lemon, and pepper.

Score: 5-6 (75)

Mental Image: Enticingly Overrated Cupcakes

Narrative & Notes: Fresh and clean, this young Macduff was simple and perfect for sipping on a cool evening.  Mellow and balanced, few flaws stood out beyond a touch too much wood and pepper for my taste. Those aspects felt askew from everything else and kept the flavors from really coming together nicely. Though it was all a bit simple, the net effect was a nice porch whisky whose wood and pepper qualities were generally tamed with a few drops of water.

Overall, simple fare, no deep thoughts required.