I particularly enjoy the robustness of the single malt from this Highlands distillery, which is significantly more muscular than most of the neighbouring and more traditional Speyside whiskies. When enriched with a 4-years finish in an Oloroso butt, like in this case, it can be particularly bold. Completely unpeated, which is unusual for this distillery, it offers a very dry and winey nose, with fruity notes of red cherries. At the palate it starts out very dry too, almost astringent, again with notes of cherries, then a hint of coffee and cocoa. It’s very mineral and clean, with no fatness, no toasted or tarry notes: just plain good old sherry. Some moderate raisiny sweetness appears in the background, before steering again on a very tannic, spicy note in the end.