Cask No. 53.308

The Vaults Collection

Cask No. 53.308

Let the Tempest tout an’ blaw

Islay

Please limit one bottle per member

A true rarity to find this distillery, not only at such an age but also out of this cask type. The nose opens to a whole smokehouse full of salmon, buttery kippers, cullen skink, lobster and creel nets stacked by a blustery harbour and the sensation of sheltering from the rain while sooking the brains from still-hot langoustines. The still vocal sherry lends a chocolatey edge as well, bitter cocoa and damp earthen floors with maderia and marzipan sweetness. Beyond there’s smoked German Rauchbiers, thousand island dressing and green olives bobbing in oil-slicked brine. Reduction enhances the coastal edges. Flint-sharp and storm lashing salinity wraps around your tongue bringing with it a taut medicinal and preserved lemon streak. In the mouth the texture is incredible. The warmth of peat embers; a gale outside; churning weather systems; surf-drenched beach pebbles and a fragrant suggestion of heather turf. Add water and it’s green and black olives, antiseptic, molten, sherry-infused peats, fragrant citrus and herbal teas. A dram for the ages!

Cask: Refill Sherry butt
Age: 30 years
Date distilled: April 1989
Alcohol: 52.0%
USA allocation: 30 bottles