James MacArthur ‘Old Masters Cask Strength Selection’ Mannochmore 1990 (11 year old) 59.8%
Bourbon cask 2755/ Dist: 1990 Btl: 2001/ Tasted: Dec 2006
Quiet a big, rich, malty and vanillery nose. Very oily and dominated by the clean American oak. It develops a delicate grassy note and a touch of leather. Soft and slightly oily on the palate again the vanilla oak takes centre stage, but is supported by spice and cut grass notes. Very intense with a high alcohol content, which obviously requires a drop of water.
It is only then that the distillery character starts to show as the oak is pushed to the background. It shows on a lovely grassyness and complex aromas of garden flowers, spice and pollen (?) and sweet, juicy citrus and mandarin fruit. This is gorgeous, the fruit flavour really linger on the palate.
Whisky According to Chris Whiskyman 