Morrison Distillers Old Perth Pedro Ximenez Limited Edition Cask Strength Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

The Old Perth range has delivered some decent values in the sherry matured department. A new 2023 addition composed of Speyside malts matured in Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez hogsheads and butts raises the standard higher. Spending its last fifteen months in first-fill PX casks sourced from Bodega José y Miguel Martin, the final marrying took place at Morrison's facility in Aberargie, Perthshire. Graeme Mackeddie, head of production at Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers said "Inspired by the Spanish sherry bodegas, we use a solera system — a complex system of fractional blending — for vatting rather than producing batch releases, which ensures consistency of our liquid. This includes the use of 50-year-old, traditional 700-litre Spanish casks, creating the perfect balance in our final blend." Sales Director, Niel Hendriksz added "...we are delighted with the results of PX maturation, producing a velvety texture with raisins, dates and candied fruit leading into dark chocolate and cocoa." We'd have to agree. But perhaps what's most enjoyable about this blend is the clever way the PX and Oloroso arrive in equal, complementary waves. It feels like a choreographed balance of sweet dried fruit and chocolate flavours, finished by drier, tangy oloroso while a sustained vibrancy keeps it all fresh. Thoughtful vattings like this are much more appealing than simple, overly-sweet single malts, which too often fall flat. The drinkability at cask strength is also impressive. 7800 bottles on offer. Non-chill filtered. 56.2% Alc./Vol.