Hellyers Road – Double Cask (70cl, 46.2%)

Hellyers Road Double Cask is a single malt whisky bottled at 46.2% in a 70cl bottle, and it is non-chill-filtered. As the name suggests, it has two stages of maturation: five years in American oak, followed by a finishing period in French oak. The nose is deep, with rich vanilla oak, Ovaltine and hints of pickled ginger. On the palate come a grassy, bittersweet, warming character, hot spices, malt and sweet oak, leading into a bittersweet finish. The distillery itself points to raisin toast, stewed fruits, candied orange and a touch of clove.