Glenmorangie – 25 Year Old The Altus (70cl, 43%)

Glenmorangie The Altus is a 25-year-old Highland single malt. Most of it comes from bourbon casks designed specially for the distillery, made from slow-grown American white oak, toasted and charred to Dr Bill Lumsden's specification. A smaller share of whisky of the same age was finished in Malmsey Madeira casks, a pairing that follows Glenmorangie's Madeira Wood Finish of 1995. It is bottled at 43%. The nose has clove blossom, rose and orange blossom with honey, then peach, vanilla, almond and nutty toffee. On the palate, silky mandarin, apple, pear and peach give way to tart gooseberry and yellow plum, with buttery sweetness, soft oak, marzipan, icing sugar and ripe banana. The finish is long and harmonious, ending on an elegant sweetness.