This Samaroli bottling came from two American Oak casks (numbers #4232 and 4233) filled in 1996 at Glentauchers Distillery in Speyside and bottled in 2014. The nose is fruity and complex with notes of peaches, red apples, apricots, muted spices, vanilla, honey, dried flowers, and a hint of lemon zest that comes out slowly. The taste is thick and fruity with good citrus tartness, a hint of ginger, and touches of wintergreen and butterscotch that add balance. The finish is subtle, but long with a slight tartness. (November, 2017)

Editor’s note: Thanks to Secret Spirits for providing this sample as part of its 2017 Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar.