Secret Speyside (M) 2024 17 Year Old The Tasteful 8 - Brühler Whiskyhaus

Nose

What's the first thing that hits your nose? A hint of cough syrup! Sounds strange at first, but before you put the glass down in irritation, it continues with an intense load of black tea, dried fruit and a slight ‘gamy’ note that is surprisingly exciting. This is joined by blackcurrants, tobacco leaf, dark chocolate and dusty oak. Anyone who now thinks that's it is wrong - leather, sultanas, a hint of lemon and a touch of sulphur provide a firework of flavours that is miles away from ‘ordinary’.

Taste

The first sip? Smooth and creamy - but not for long. Suddenly the oak spice comes into play, then it becomes sweet, fruity and slightly floral. And then - bang - another load of dust and a powerful mixture of dark plum and wild berries. Somehow musty, but in a fascinating way. A bit like an old library full of valuable treasures that hasn't been opened for a long time.

Finish

Here, the whisky remains true to its style: the finish is long, sweet and spicy - a little fruity, a little ‘gamy’, and surprisingly hardly any oak to be felt. A wild mix.