Darkness 8 Year Old Sherry Cask Finish (70cl, 47.8%)

Darkness is a whisky series from Atom Brands, and this is its eight year old Speyside single malt, introduced in early 2020 as a continuing bottling. It is bottled at 47.8% in a 70cl bottle, without chill-filtering or added colouring. The whisky first matured in ex-bourbon casks, then spent at least three months in custom-made first-fill Oloroso sherry octaves of about 50 litres. The smaller casks give the wood more contact with the whisky. The nose has candied orange peel, dried cherry, chocolate peanuts and warm spice. The palate brings amaretti, raisin and plum, with light roasted notes and earthy oak. The finish is lightly oily, with a trace of smoke and lingering chocolate.