Morrison Distillers Mac-Talla Oloroso Butt Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

"... for a NAS this whisky this is a banger." - whiskybase.com

From one of Scotland's oldest whisky families, previous owners of Bowmore, Auchentoshan and Glen Garioch - the Morrison Family. Mac-Talla means 'Echo' in Scottish Gaelic and reflects the Morrison family connection to the island of Islay.  For the 2024 Limited Edition Mac-Talla release, the team at Morrison have created a small-batch bottling from ten ex-Oloroso sherry butts (seven 1st fill, three 2nd fill). The casks were sourced from renowned Bodega Jose y Miguel Martin in Jerez. All were European oak. The natural-strength peated malt spent seven years mingling with the rich fruity sherry notes remaining in the barrel to create another Mac-Talla flavour sensation: Peat is upfront on the nose followed by an oceanic spritz on the palate where there's equal sherry and smoke at play. Deliciously textural flavours of oatmeal biscuits, salted caramel and that elusive distillery character described as dried mango come through (word on the street is this is Bowmore). Long, strong and buzzing, like most of the Mac Talla range. Jaded Islay fans will find something different to tantalise their taste buds here. 54.8% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

Other reviews... Bowmore, not Bowmore it doesn't matter. This whisky delivers. I think for a NAS this whisky this is a banger. Yeah, the price is a bit high but it's definitely worth it. It has multiple layers, it's very complex, it's smoky and sweet at the same time. Perfetion among smoky whiskies? Who knows. What I know is that it will join the "Best whiskies I've had in 2024" category for sure. I am rating this 91 / 100. Buy it, open it, drink it, enjoy it then buy it again...Dense smoke and earthy peat. Ash, ash and ash. Salty and peppery. Mint. The smoke vanishes and lets the sweet, fruity part take over. Vanilla with toffee and soft oak. Leather. Orchard fruits, then dried fruits. Figs, raisins, oranges and pineapple. After a while the smoke comes back and engulfs your mouth once again. Multi-layered, deep, complex. Explosion of flavours. For a probably young whisky (6-7-8 yo) this is very very good. And I would even say that this whisky can get into a ring with much much older whiskies from Islay. - whiskybase.com

Notes from the bottlers... Warm spice, rich dark fruits & a big dollop of peat. Brown sugar and baking spices reminiscent of Christmas with a peat fire burning in the background.