2002 Aberlour Single Cask Selection First Fill Sherry Butt #4405 17 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - Comptoir Irlandais Exclusive

Sherry fanatics who were spoilt with Macallans or Glendronachs through the 1980s and '90s will relish this. Among the more challenging and complex single malt styles to navigate, it's also a whisky that should come with an advisory statement: "Rewards Patience". Aberlour is the darling of single malt Scotch Whiskies in France (and the most consumed), so it makes sense that this exclusive single cask was selected by French retailer, 'Comptoir Irlandais'. At the time of writing, there were approximately fifteen bottles of the original 570 still available from the Brittany based shop, so cask #4405 is getting close to liquid history.

Tasting note: The stunning colour is brilliant copper / bronze. A reserved, drier and spicier side of Aberlour is presented on the nose; Old drawers, leather arm chairs and bitter cocoa with an almost peircing, citrus lift. It needs fifteen minutes in the glass to expand to richer, XO Armagnac-like notes of dried figs, fruit cake, chocolate covered orange, cinnamon, rancio and vanilla. At cask strength, the entry is effortless. Mid palate starts out with coffee beans and dark chocolate as spices gang up and nutty Oloroso builds. But this is very much about what comes after the first sip. In particular, the rebound and persistence of the aftertaste leave the impression that it is actually much older than it is. It ends in a cascade of semisweet oak and sherry that borders on being honeyed. Pour yourself a glass and come back in thirty minutes, one hour, even two in order to savour this all natural beauty in full blossom. 58.8% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered. 570 bottles.

Notes from Comptoir Irlandais... Nose: Intense notes of lemon and pink grapefruit followed by fruit bread and soft caramel. Palate: Spicy with candied orange zest and hints of roasted coffee and sweet spices. Finish: Long and smooth with lingering spice notes.