Chieftain's Choice Banff 1978, Sherry Wood

Tasted in Whisky Magazine Issue 51 by Michael Jackson and Dave Broom.

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Tasting Notes

Michael Jackson Nose Reticent. After some coaxing, dried fruits – apricots, figs. Oily, monster nuts – Brazils? Palate Dark, burnt cake (Dundee cake perhaps?). Liquorice. More oiliness, treacle toffee, bitumen. Finish Burnt. Bitter notes. Drying but warming. Comment Too burnt and dry. Not for everyone. Reminds me of a particular espresso and grappa, standing outside the Arsenale, on a winter’s morning.

Dave Broom Nose Big and mature with a hint of smoke. Quite resinous: liquorice and leather, wood oil, sultana fruit cake, clinker. In time there’s a note of wrinkled apple, baked fruits. Palate Very soft and rounded and less dry than the nose suggests. Honeyed with a layered feel: marzipan, turmeric/curry leaf even some peach. Finish Very spicy. Comment This has complexity, though does lose some intensity and mouth feel with water.