The quiet and gentle profile of a very old Speyside malt is showcased to perfection in this very limited release. Slowly matured for more than 27 years in a refill cask, and then made richer by a final period of 30 months in first fill Oloroso, it’s a whisky that loves to take time in the glass because of its delicate character. The grassy, herbal and waxy notes of the distillery are the first to shine through. In spite of the sherry finish, the winey influence is very restrained and not obviously fruity: on the contrary, there is an organic, leathery and darker note. It’s quite dry, herbal and leathery at the palate too, with a medium body and a smooth approach: all asperities have been erased, and it tastes lighter and easier than the alcohol percentage would suggest. But then, again, the darker notes start to grow, with liquorice and a firm tannic intensity that becomes particularly noticeable in the end.