2009 Asta Morris Glentauchers Pedro Ximenez Sherry 8 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Asta Morris is a Belgian independent bottler of single cask whiskies that opened for business in 2009. The casks are carefully selected with the intention to "fall in love at first sight". In fact, that’s just how the company started: while visiting Benriach distillery, founder and whisky writer, Bert Bruyneel, fell in love with a cask. When he discovered it was for sale, the 1975 hogshead became the company’s first bottling. Besides Europe, markets are limited to Japan, Hong Kong and recently, Australia. Like other indies, the outturns are typically around 200 bottles.

Tasting note: Deep gold. Tantalising bouquet is creamy / honeyed / fruity-yet-fresh developing with sweet grassy notes. 3-4 minutes draws out tea biscuits, shortbread, pancakes? Sweet but not overly so with a flood of rich, warming malt followed by juicy dried fruits and light raisin cake at the finish. Beautifully textured. Young yet so moreish. 51.5% Alc./vol. 150 bottles.

Notes from the bottler: Light and gentle nuttiness on the nose, with red currant, dried leafs, wet oak and very elegant white pepper. The palate is initially peppery and a bit dry. It gets more oily with very nice layers of red fruits and elegant touches of the PX cask. The finish is very long, warming and a lovely complexity.