Allt-a-Bhainne – Berry Bros & Rudd – Single Cask #187540 1996 23 year old Whisky

Allt-á-Bhainne translates from the Gaelic as “stream of milk”. The distillery was founded in 1975 being a relatively recent addition to Speyside. It has capacity to produce four million litres of spirit per year, although rarely bottled as a single malt. This ex-Bourbon barrel offers subtle and delicate aromas of vanilla, coconut and fresh green fruit; a little time in the glass brings a slight whiff of peat smoke. The palate is equally complex and understated with notes of spiced apple, melon, some shortbread, and mashed banana. A long finish brings waves of wood spice and fresh fruit. A wise, quietly confident dram, reminding us that Scotch is about subtlety and complexity