Colour: light gold. It's really a new thing that 1st fill oloroso would impart this little colour. Nose: I seem to spot some sootier tones here and there but it's hard to say whether that stems from the spirit or from the cask. It's clearly fermentary, having said that (bread dough, beer). With water: yess! Bidis, green cigars and walnuts – the sherry doing its job in a rather fino-y way – sourdough, a little mint tea, some chalkiness… This is more classic Ben Nevis. Mouth (neat): big, fat, lemony, waxy, quite pungent. Wasabi aged in wood. Green oranges too. It's actually a little brutal but remember, almost 60%. With water: lovely indeed. Chalky lemons, soot, ashes, green pepper, paraffin, horseradish, then orange blossom water and earl grey. Peppery rhythm section. Finish: long, rather on bitter oranges. Turmeric and ginseng powder, perhaps (I'm feeling better already)… Comments: a wee step above, I would say.
SGP:461 - 88 points.
