Entirely matured at a very leisurely pace for 25 years in a refill Oloroso butt, this Speyside single malt is as traditional as they come. The long influence of the cask was gentle and not overwhelming, resulting in a profile that’s not obviously winey, but very refined, layered and complex. At the nose it’s fruity but not explicitly so: rather, it’s honeyed, waxy, with subtle notes of ripe tropical fruits. The refill oak enhanced the natural clean and malty richness of the spirit, without adding astringent or tannic traits. At the palate it’s quite full bodied, rich and creamy: again, malt sweetness, acacia honey and beeswax. All with a background mineral note, and a robust tannic structure which adds backbone but without bitterness or oaky excesses.