This was bought for a tasting I ran for my colleagues (full civilians) at the Whisky Exchange, most of whom were completely baffled. Only a Russian computer programmer was anything but totally appalled by the (very mild) peat in BenRiach Solstice. It was good fun though.
SWMS 7.95, Longmorn, Instant Relaxation and Comforting Warmth, 55.8% A⊕+
27 years old, 24th September 1985, refill bourbon hogshead, 174 bottles
Nose – Complex, waxed, antique woods, sweet rushes, waxed leather, gently sweet toffee and a little sage. It’s complicated, and very balanced, yet dark, thick, rich and satisfying. And bright – some floral notes of lily and rose. And ridiculously sweet – some cola cubes and barley sugar. Some water brings the wood out a little further, smooths out that sweetness and makes the whisky much more gentle and rounded.
Body – Honeyed malt, extremely sweet but balanced by extremely floral wood and some satsuma. There is an underlying wood sourness in here though.
Finish – Long, sappy, gets sweeter if anything – finally straying into candy and cola cubes again. It never loses balance though, the finish is deeply satisfying and very high quality – what a beautiful whisky.
What's not good about it: The sourness, if anything. But I think this is necessary to balance the whisky. I’m not complaining.
What’s good about it: Glorious complexity, faultless in many ways, and tropical burps. Wonderful stuff.