Zuidam – Smugglers Dutch Mellow Rye Whisky Trail Winter Edition (70cl, 43%)

This is the Winter Edition of Zuidam's Smugglers Dutch Mellow Rye Whisky Trail, a Dutch single blended whisky in a 70cl bottle. It is a seasonal bottling at 43%, made by Zuidam Distillers of Baarle-Nassau. The recipe combines rye, malted rye, malted barley and maize. That mix gives a soft, creamy whisky in which the rye is clear but restrained. It is chill-filtered and has no added colouring. The nose opens with green and red apple, lemon and mandarin, then apricot, apple pie, honey, vanilla and light oak. The palate is creamy and balanced, and the medium finish is peppery with vanilla and oak.