Nc'nean – Quiet Rebels Simon (70cl, 48.5%)

Nc'Nean Quiet Rebels Simon is an organic Highland single malt Scotch whisky from the distillery's experimental Quiet Rebels series, bottled at 48.5% in a 70cl bottle. It is a limited expression. The spirit first matures in STR red wine casks, then is finished in stout casks from Innis & Gunn. Those stout barrels had earlier held Nc'nean's own whisky before they were used to age beer, which the distillery describes as a full circle. Nc'nean stands at Drimnin on the Morvern peninsula and uses organic Scottish barley. The nose offers cocoa, coffee, baking spice and cherry. On the palate come chocolate brioche, coffee fudge and jammy red fruit. The long finish carries dark chocolate and baking spice, with a drying malt note at the end.