Caledonian 'The Cally' 40 Year Old Single Grain Scotch Whisky, 70cl
Part of the 2015 Special Releases. Aromas of toffee popcorn, grilled pineapple and honeycomb. Toasty and oaky, but not heavy. It was nicknamed 'The Cally' by those who worked at the distillery when it was open all those years ago. Coconut, candy lipstick then into concentrated Werther's Originals and richer, spicier treacle nose. It has bitter caramel now, warming wood spices, dates and cinnamon palate and creamy vanilla takes centre stage for a moment finish. Overall an excellent old grain from an all but forgotten distillery.
Medium.
Long and complex. Oily, with finely coating dry, dark chocolate and fresh oak-wood. A rising pungency offers up espresso coffee and charred notes of treacle toffee and chocolate cake. Warming with water: softer and creamier now, with aromatic sandalwood.
Appetising, mouth-watering. Sweet fruit chews and fresh fruits (peach, ripe melon and a spirited top-note of zesty orange peel) over a base of vanilla sponge, with a hint of fresh-planed oak. Or perhaps, simply, fruit crème-filled dark chocolates or vanilla-rich rum-and-raisin ice cream. Later, a medley of sultanas, soft, over-ripe bananas and honey on a cinnamon Danish. Water brings up the vanilla sponge and planed oak, with a mossy note that evokes dessert grapes eaten straight from a paper carton.
Immediate, with fresh acidity: lightly sweet and oily, with smooth chocolate and vanilla, a spicy warmth and a slightly bitter pungency emerging on the mid-palate. At reduced strength the texture becomes softer and the taste cooling and creamy. Burnt sugar and cocoa against a developing background of wooden pencil boxes, joined by raisins, dates, allspice and a trace of white chocolate.
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