Signatory Vintage (Ballechin heavily peated Vintage 2005 The Whisky Barrel)

The nose is an immediate burst of sweet and creamy oak, with notes of Sherry wine clearly coming through. This is a great mix between smoke and wine sweetness that when they come together, it reminds you of a deliciously made frosted cake. Notes of chocolate comes out as it breathes, adding to an already amazing experience. The palate fills the mouth with oak and smoke, as the Sherry influence softens the harshness without coming off as being too sweet. There is a dry wine influence behind it all, but then soon a mix of baking spices and black pepper comes up to add a bit of heat. This is very interesting mix of two polar opposite flavor profiles, but they come together well to offer the best of each. It is not to smokey and it is not too sweet, it's a nice touch to a beautiful Scotch and at a surprisingly high barrel proof for Scotch, the depth of flavor is pretty incredible. The finish is long and slightly spicy, and a little bit chewy as all the flavors meld together into something succulent. With each chew you can get some smoke, and get some wine, or you can get some oak. It's absolutely beautiful and something I'm greatly going to miss.