SECRET SPEYSIDE 18 YO 2005

LMDW Foundations Collection

Speyside, Single Malt - 57.6%, 700ml

Single Cask #DRU 17/A106 #45 - First Fill Sherry Butt

Limited edition of 575 bottles

LMDW Exclusive

Founded in 1824 near the village of Craigellachie, the legendary distillery behind this Secret Speyside officially released its first 18 year old bottling in 1984. Matured in a first-fill sherry cask, this version was selected from the warehouses of renowned Signatory Vintage and gives complete freedom of expression to its deeply ingrained personality. Far from disturbing the balance of its flavour and aroma palette, this dichotomy between the nose and palate instead acts as a precious asset that further secures the malt’s place in the taster’s heart.

Colour: mahogany.

Nose: rich, deep. Notes of slightly burnt apricot tart, orange jam, spice bread and brandied cherries highlight the aroma palette’s oxidative and empyreumatic character. Gradually, heady fragrances of Russian leather fill the air.

Palate: refined, well-balanced. The palate breaks completely from the nose, revealing florals (old rose, hyacinth), spices (nutmeg), chocolate and a wonderful fruitiness (mango coulis, quince jelly). Now brighter and more extroverted, it then develops noble flavours of sandalwood, emery cloth and tobacco.

Finish: long, silky. Offering a compromise between the nose and the palate, the finish invites us to enjoy a delicious apple tart, apricot, dark chocolate and mango. The retro-nasal olfaction is more fibrous, bringing liquorice stick and plumes of smoke from a Havana cigar.