TB/BSW Blended Scotch Whisky 9 Years Old Final Release (70cl, 45%)

This is the Final Release of the TB/BSW series from Thompson Bros, a nine-year-old blended Scotch bottled at 45%, non-chill-filtered and with natural colour, in a 70cl bottle. A considerable share of the batch comes from 15-year-old whisky of an unnamed Speyside distillery. The series began with a chance find of sherry-seasoned casks. After the first release the remaining whisky rested in wood for several more years, and the extra time shows in notes of old leather and mahogany polish alongside the series' heavy, oily sherry character. Plum, orange liqueur, plump sultanas and date pudding lead the nose. The palate is juicy and weighty, with marzipan, sticky Medjool dates, dark chocolate-covered orange, cinnamon and star anise. The long finish brings oak charcoal, clove, nutmeg, mace and dark muscovado sugar.