Starward Single Cask Release 1 Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (700ml)

This is the first in what's rumoured to be a semi-regular release of single barrel Starward single malt. It's a sensational effort that maintains this distillery's expected course but then suddenly diverges - just enough to make you feel you're entering unexplored territory - but with only 105 bottles available you'll have to act fast.

Tasting note: Brilliant polished copper colour shows ideal clarity. Lifted, sweet scents of banana cake and vanilla in the first pass. Several minutes aeration subdues the estery top note to reveal an attractive dried fruit, American oak and cocoa-like bouquet. Entry is light and mildly tannic. Mid palate offers a delayed burst of sugars - sponge cake, vanilla and dried fruits saturating the tongue in a prolonged surge - the overall balance is exemplary, trailing off at considerable length with an unusual red-berry and milk chocolate complexity. This is what single barrel whisky is all about.
Borderline 96 points. 56.5% Alc./Vol.