The Macallan – 12 Year Old Sherry Oak (70cl, 40%)

This is a Speyside single malt matured for a minimum of 12 years in predominantly sherry-seasoned European oak casks on The Macallan Estate. It is bottled at 40% in a 70cl bottle and has a rich gold colour that comes entirely from the oak. The casks were filled with sherry in Spanish bodegas, then emptied and shipped to Speyside. Over the years of maturation they give dried fruit, sweet spice, oak spice and ginger. The nose offers dried fruit, candied citrus peel and oak, with ginger and nutmeg. On the palate come raisins and sultanas in ginger syrup, then sweet cinnamon and a hint of vanilla. The finish is long, with oak, warming ginger and a little sherry sweetness.