2004 Glenturret 17 Year Old "Old Particular" K&L Exclusive Single Sherry Puncheon Cask Strength Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)

We've had pretty massive luck with these Glenturret's recently. The 12 year old from 2 years ago was exceptionally well received and now this exceptional cask pops up and the price is absolutely unbeatable. Add to that the added intrigue of the Sherry Puncheon and you've got a winning recipe. For those that aren't aware, the puncheon is a size and shape of barrel used primarily to age sherry. It's significantly shorter (they say dumpier) than a sherry butt, although it can often hold as much or more than a butt, so the barrel bows much more obviously and looks like a short fat butt. Unlike most butts, which are more often than not using American oak, it's very likely that this was fashioned using Spanish oak. The results are significant. Let's see how it taste. The color is tawny. The nose is a big basket of spices -clove and cardamom mostly. It feels very old school and rather antique: old wood, dried plums, bitter dried herbs and rather dusty. It could go overly dry on the palate with such a woodsy nose, but it rather goes creamy chocolate instead. Some stewed fruit, while still retaining the earthy tobacco and pungent spice. This doesn't need water at all, but it definitely loves to swim! Significantly changes with just a few drops. The spice drops away leaving leather and dried apricots, vibrant citrus oil, hints of maple wood, eucalyptus and mint oil. This is a big boy, showing off that heady spanish oak, but the tannin isn't too hard and the richness and fruit keep it extremely lively. A real gem, but of course - you already knew that.