Annandale 2015 Best Dram – 56.3%

Unique casks, personally and locally selected in Scotland’s whisky regions, always cask strength, never chill-filtered or coloured. Sounds magical? No wonder, because these Best Drams are the work of Michel Reick, who as a whisky druid makes the magic of handpicked casks accessible to connoisseurs. Three newcomers make magical moments of enjoyment possible this week.

The new Best Drams have had between 7 and 16 years to develop their exquisite aromas. The trio opens up exciting perspectives for whisky fans on distilleries from the Isle of Islay, Speyside and the Lowlands – in combination with the classic bourbon barrel or aromatic finishes in (strong) wine casks.

Like Amarone, for example. The Italian top wine is pressed from dried grapes. This process gives it intense, heavy aromas, from which the peated Annandale 2015/2022 now benefits. Finished in a barrel pre-aged with Amarone, the Lowlander indulges with a combination of peat smoke, bacon fat and cherries.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Light peat smoke and a little air-dried bacon combine with red fruits like bacon cherry against a backdrop of smoky salt.

Palate: Smooth with milk chocolate, replaced by peat smoke, some bacon and finally fruity notes of pickled cherries.

Finish: Peat smoke with chocolate and cherries.