Annandale Man O’ Words 2015 Bourbon Cask 528 (59.5%, OB, 265 Bottles, 2018)

• ABV: 59.5%
• Age: 3 Years Old
• Bottling: OB, Bourbon Cask 528, 265 bottles
• Category: Lowland single malt scotch whisky
• Cost: £116.95
• Origin: Annandale distillery
• Vintage: 2015

What they say

From the Annandale distillery based in the Lowlands comes this single cask unpeated single malt! In 2015, this expression of Man O’Words was left to mature in a single bourbon cask, number 528 to be specific. Eventually it was bottled at a generous 59.5% ABV, with a release of just 265 bottles.

What I say

Leading on from the unpeated new make spirit is this, one of the earliest releases from Annandale distillery. Unpeated spirit from 2015 was matured in a single ex-bourbon cask #528 and matured for a minimum of 3 years required to legally call it single malt scotch whisky. This cask produced 265 bottles at cask strength 59.5% ABV.

My tasting notes:

• Appearance: Champagne gold (4/20), large tears and thick legs.
• Nose: Fresh and zesty compared to NMS, vanilla, lemon, some spicy lemongrass, lemon meringue pie, green apple acidity, lemon and vanilla cream.
• Taste: Fruity, medium-full bodied, green apple, lemon, pear, banana, possibly even kiwi fruit, woody oak, white pepper, freshly grated nutmeg, hint of cinnamon, grapefruit peel and barley sugars.
• Finish: Medium-long, drying, more peppery spice and citrus peels, biscuity maltiness later.

Overall

Really quite fresh compared to the new make spirit, predominantly fruit driven here with lemons and apples and also lots of vanillin and woody oak spices from the bourbon cask. Traces of barley malt persist in the finish.

Score 84/100

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