Dewar's Ilegal Smooth Mezcal Cask Finish 8 Year Old (75cl, 40%)

This is an 8 year old blended Scotch from Dewar's, finished in ex-mezcal casks. It is the second release in the Dewar's Cask Finish series and a collaboration with Ilegal Mezcal of Oaxaca, Mexico. Master Blender Stephanie Macleod created it. The blend uses up to 40 single malt and grain whiskies, all matured for at least 8 years and double aged in Dewar's warehouses in Glasgow. It then spends a final period in casks that held Ilegal's mezcal, made from Espadin agave. It is bottled at 40%. The nose is malty and nutty, with honey, flowers, agave, green pepper, caramel and a wisp of mezcal smoke. On the palate come pound cake, citrus, vanilla and hay with herbal agave. The finish is of medium length, with agave warmth, a bitter spicy edge and soft smoke.