Lagg Distillery – Manzanilla Sherry Finish Small Batch (57.6%)

This is a small batch single malt from Lagg, pairing the distillery's smoky style with a finish in Manzanilla sherry casks. The whisky first matured in first and second fill bourbon casks, then spent more than a year in first-fill Manzanilla casks from Sanlúcar de Barrameda, whose salty, fresh character is set against the heavy smoke of the spirit. It is bottled at 57.6% without chill-filtration or added colour. In the glass it is warm gold with amber tones. The nose is rich, with sweet syrup and maraschino cherry. The palate is full and intense, with honeyed sweetness, spiced red fruit, cherry syrup and a light salty minerality. The finish is long, dry and warming, with ashy bonfire smoke and a maritime edge.