Tasting Notes
Atop sticky ginger cake, Turkish delight and Spanish rum mingle with treacle, jam and gooey apricot. Battenburg cake is introduced to the palate, upgraded with orange zest, custard, chocolate bitters and sultanas. Having introduced water, the nose offered salted caramel sauce, madeira cake and a wonderfully floral, elegant and fresh cherry. The palate, now a luxurious oily texture, was rich in singed toffee, liquorice root, brandy de Jerez and walnut. After 24 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, we transferred this to a first fill oloroso hogshead for the remainder of its maturation.
From the Spirits Team
This cask came to us during the Society’s Glenmorangie-owned era, which means that this whisky has been under our stewardship for quite some time. While distillery 24 has a reputation for maturing its whiskies in sherry casks, this particular one began its life in a bourbon hogshead, setting it apart from most drams of its home brand. But after 24 years in that initial vessel, we transferred this whisky to a fresh Spanish oak oloroso hogshead for the remaining seven years of its maturation, where it patiently chiselled itself into an entirely different beast.
For those members lucky enough to get their hands on this bottle, expect a rich and decadent experience combining all the hallmarks of deep sherry influence with all the elegance and oily classiness that a dram from distillery 24 can conjure up after more than 30 years in wood. Sensuous, opulent, magic!
About The Vaults Collection
The Vaults Collection is a selection of the finest and rarest single cask, single malt whisky, set aside from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s most remarkable stocks over the years. They have been released from the depths of our treasure trove of casks, after decades of slow maturation and careful nurturing. The Vaults Collection represents the whisky lover’s dream: A chance to journey back into whisky history, including the opportunity to experience styles or distilleries that no longer exist. The Collection takes its name from the Society’s historical home at The Vaults in Leith, Scotland’s oldest commercial building in continuous use whose connection with the drinks world dates back to the 12th century. Each bottle has a specially designed label and is offered in a beautiful wooden box.