Cask No. 48.43

Cask No. 48.43                         

Pepper crop-dusted over orchards

Speyside, Spey

Our noses were tickled by pepper, mustard, straw mats and sawdust, but it settled to jellied fruits, blackcurrant chews, orange jelly, fruity toffee, tinned pineapple and syrup sponge with custard. With water, those black pepper clouds parted and the sun shone on ripened orchard fruits (apple, pear, peach, apricot, cherry). The palate offered a warm peppery tingle, hinting at nutmeg and chilli; we also found honey, toffee, fruit pastilles, blackcurrant, lemon, ice lolly sticks and some biscuity dryness. In reduction, fruits of the forest were balanced nicely by hints of humbug, pepper, liquorice, leather and tea. Cromdale cratur with convincing character.

Drinking tip: A holiday dram – but not abroad and not four star – more like camping or caravanning (unmatchable joys and interesting challenges).