High Coast – 2012/2023 Ex-Lochindaal Cask Finish (Berry Bros & Rudd) (70cl, 59.8%)

This is a single cask Swedish single malt from High Coast, distilled in 2012 and bottled in 2023 by Berry Bros. & Rudd at a cask strength of 59.8%. The outturn was 243 bottles, and the whisky is natural colour and not chill-filtered. Its last two years were spent in a cask that had held heavily peated Lochindaal spirit from Bruichladdich. The finish adds Islay peat smoke to the fruit of the High Coast style. The nose opens with strong peat smoke, then light orchard fruit and a delicate icing-sugar sweetness. On the palate come juicy green apple, fireplace ash and minerality, with vanilla, toffee and fine spice. The finish is long, and the peat lingers.