Bushmills Port Cask Reserve - The Steamship Collection (70cl, 40%)

This is a triple-distilled Bushmills single malt, matured entirely in ruby port pipes from vineyards in Portugal's Douro Valley. It is the port edition of the Steamship Collection, released in 2016 as the second in the series, which recalls the voyages of the SS Bushmills. The pipes were filled with port for at least three years before being emptied and sent to Bushmills, where Helen Mulholland, then Master Blender, chose them in person. Bottled at 40% in a 70cl bottle. Honey-sweet malt leads the nose, with port sweetness and vanilla. Almonds open the palate, followed by plums and dark chocolate, then honey and praline. The finish is long and warm, with leather, port and coffee.