A finish of 48 months in a first fill Pedro Ximenez barrel was the perfect choice to highlight the fruitier notes of this Speyside malt, without overwhelming the fresh playfulness of the spirit. Once again, a finish that lets the whisky character shine through, with no excesses of sweetness. At the nose, it has the fragrance of pears, apricots and peaches, but also a hint of almonds and a balsamic touch: is that a whiff of aniseed in the background? Fruity, but not cloying or dominated by the wine. At the palate, it shows a remarkable balance between a pleasantly sour and dry side, and the creamier and sweeter notes of apricots and raisins. It’s still very mineral, and with a gentle earthy and oaky contribution. The finale is clean, spicy but not exceedingly tannic, still very velvety and fruity.