MURRAY MCDAVID BENCHMARK - GLENALLACHIE 15 YEAR TAWNY PORT CASK FINISH

Sourced from GlenAllachie Distillery Cask No. 900868A Distilled in 2008; Bottled in 2024 Aged in ex-P.X. and ex-Oloroso for 10 years Finished in ex-Tawny port cask for 5 years Age - 15 years 57.9% abv; 115.8 proof Open 3 weeks Nose - Strawberry, raspberry, caramel apple, rose petal, cheap milk chocolate, honey, sweet malt, light cinnamon, and medium ethanol. Palate - Ripe berries, wildflower honey, chocolate covered cherry, dark red wine, and cereal grain. Finish is long with a hint of musty malt, aged grain, tart strawberry, green apple, shortbread, and medium ethanol. I bought this days after buying the Benchmark Tomatin 14Y, and it doesn't reach those heights. I prefer sherry to port finishes, but I figured the first 10 years in ex-sherry would counter the port finish. The Tawny port is the prominent flavor profile, with the lighter sweet notes and fresh berries. This is still a good example of the quality you can get with an independent bottler like Murray McDavid, but the Tomatin 14Y is better and $5 cheaper.