Thanks to a finish of over 24 months in first fill Oloroso casks, this Speyside malt is particularly gentle and easy going. We opted for a restrained approach with the sherry, as not to overwhelm the natural fruitiness of the whisky: the nose offers fresh pears, apples, peaches, apricots and a touch of orange fragrance. At the palate it’s rich and smooth, with plenty of orange juice. Creamy and with a hint of honey, but not exceedingly sweet: the citrus note and the mineral character, plus the sherry nuttiness, keep it playful and vibrant. It’s an extremely breezy whisky, never heavy or brooding, thanks to the perfect balance between the crisp maltiness of the spirit and the light contribution from the Oloroso. The finale is long, fresh, appetizing, steering towards its drier and more winey side, with a hint of pepper and lemon peel.