Nose

A subtle hint of sandalwood, polished oak and sweet pipe smoke is no match for the extraordinary, ripe plum fruitiness and crystal-clear sweet malt. Quite exhilarating.

Palate

Deep and spiced with aged oak from the off. Massively dry through the middle but there are some richer, digestive biscuity malt notes which ensure stability.

Finish

Bitter-sweet, slightly salty, waxily honied and smoky. The oaky notes are the ones which last longest.

Comment

This is just a shade over-aged unlike the 1946. Even so, the intense, complex middle does offer certain riches. The nose is exceptional.