Blair Athol – 12 Year Old 2nd Fill Sherry Hogshead (50cl, 56.9%)

This is a Highland single malt from Blair Athol, the distillery at the entrance to Pitlochry. It spent twelve years in a refill sherry hogshead and was bottled at cask strength, 56.9%, in a 50cl bottle. It is natural in colour and not chill-filtered. The sherry influence is clear but controlled, in the way Blair Athol is known to take to sherry casks. The nose offers sweet Christmas spices and raisins. On the palate come warm spices, candied apples and oranges, and dark chocolate, leading to a very light, dry woodiness in the finish.