Part of Diageo's Special Releases for 2017, an 18yo single malt from the Glen Elgin distillery in Speyside. Distilled in 1998, this vatting of two experimental batches (one part of the spirit was distilled using a yeast more commonly found in the production of millet beer) was matured in a combination of sherry-style butts and refill European oak before being bottled in 2017. 5,352 bottles were produced, each individually numbered. Bottled at a natural cask strength of 54.8%. (Bottle size 750ml)
Nose: Sweet with vanilla toffee giving way to leafy, green and notes of fennel and fresh-cut grass. The sweetness remains with candied nuts, polished oak and sweetened cream.
Palate: A burst of sweetness washes with traces of honey and sour apples, oaky spice and brown sugar. The fruit stays with icing sugar, butter and wood at the edges.
Finish: Medium and quite dry with oak and wood spice fading to brown sugar and hints of anise. Dried apples and spice reappear, followed by sweet oak.