Ushers Green Stripe (75cl, 43%)

Ushers Green Stripe is a blended Scotch whisky bottled at 43% ABV in a 75cl bottle. The brand goes back to Andrew Usher, who combined malt and grain whiskies in Edinburgh in 1853. Just over 12% of the blend is malt whisky, from distilleries including Smith's Glenlivet, Royal Brackla and the Edinburgh distillery. Roughly two-thirds is grain whisky from the Caledonian distillery. The nose has toffee, honeycomb, light berries, hay and barley, with a little mint. The palate moves from honey, cream and caramel to gentle spice and ginger. The finish is medium, with pepper, a clean cereal note and a hint of apple.