Fruit shop, flower shop, confectioner’s

I must confess that distillery 39 is one of my favourites. Single casks from here are always very elegant, and a key attribute for me is a fresh green apple note, extending to apple blossom. It shows well at all ages and matures brilliantly in most cask types. It’s a whisky-maker’s dream in terms of blending, too. “Fruit shop, flower shop, confectioner’s” sums it up very well! This has a slightly lower ABV than one might expect, but that means it can be enjoyed with a very small drop of water, unlocking the flavours and retaining body and intensity. - Euan Campbell, head of whisky creation

Tasting Notes

The nose wafted us with freshly cut flower meadows, oranges and pears in cardboard boxes, lemon bonbons and vanilla custard slice. The palate was slightly floral (parma violets and spring barley fields) and beautifully sweet (honey, midget gems and danish pastries), with hints of spearmint and gentle spice towards the end. The reduced nose just seemed like a "fruit shop, flower shop, confectioner’s" classic Speyside – pear sweets, lemon juice drizzled over green apple slices and American cream soda. The palate continued its roving fruit route – kiwi, mango, banana, tinned pears and fruit meringues; with maybe a little more spice appearing on the finish – chilli, cinnamon and curry powder.