1996 Claxton's Warehouse No.1 Speyside Distillery 26 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Speyside distillery is located, unsurprisingly, in the Speyside region of Scotland. It's one of the newer distilleries but has already released a small range of official bottlings that include an 8 year old, 10 year old, 12 year old and a 15. Claxton's deliver a delicious, sulphur-free sherried expression with judicious wine input: Honey, caramel fudge and assorted dried fruits set a sweet tone on the nose, while the palate shows less ripe characteristics. The bottlers mention papaya - which is spot on; plus there's a little dried mango and elderflower following through. It's almost like a low peat Bowmore from decades back. As you might expect at this age, the balance at high ABV is excellent but there's also vibrancy to boot for a 26 year old. Sauternes barrique matured. 49.2% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

Notes from the bottlers... NOSE: Dried apricot and caramel. Sweet oak and vanilla. Herbal and musty. PALATE: Sweet oak and more dried fruits; papaya, apricot. Soft spiciness. FINISH: Oak-rich finish with fruit and tannin in equal measure.