S.M.O.S Highland 12 Year Old Reserve Parcel No. 7

A 2008 Highland single malt from a mystery distillery, matured in a batch of three ex-sherry butts for more than 12 years and bottled in 2021 as part of Elixir Distillers Single Malts of Scotland Reserve Casks Parcel 7. Aromas of sherry trifle, glace cherries, dark chocolate cake, walnuts, cinnamon and strawberry jam fill the nose, complemented by notes of caramel stroopwafel, chocolate fudge sauce, ginger and blueberry compote throughout the palate. NOSE The aromas of a spongey sherry trifle are layered with glacé cherries and a slice of vanilla-and-dark-chocolate cake. A few walnuts appear, followed by strawberry jam spread on a cinnamon bagel. PALATE Caramel stroopwafel brings plenty of decadent flavours, along with dark-chocolate fudge sauce. Some slight heat comes in the form of a glass of ginger beer, followed up by the syrupy sweetness of blueberry compote. FINISH A bag of candied ginger remains, along with ground cardamom.