The Toshan Man

OK, this is a bit special. I got this sample from Luc Timmermans, somewhere in 2010. Luc was the importer of Malts of Scotland for Belgium at the time. It is very well possible that by now it has already been bottled in one of their previous releases, but I am not sure, since the ABV is not mentioned on the sample bottle, nor any clue as to the type of cask. It merely states ‘Cask 08/2008’. Mysterious, eh? The colour suggest a sherry cask. I have long doubted if I should try it, but what the hell. Or YOLO, as my teenage sons tells me.

Wonderful nose on all kinds of sherry influences: pear drops, plum jam, dades and raisins, baked banana with dark brown sugar. Candied rhubarb. Almost pastry. Espresso with a touch of whipped cream. Twig of mint. Boy, this is stunning! Naysayers will undoubtedly say this is so good as there is little left of the distillery character, but it is the delicate nature of the spirit that allows the sherry cask to work its magic.

Powerful on the palate – a flash fire in the mouth! Then it suddenly turns silky soft and dances on the taste buds with maple syrup, candied orange rind, plums, grapefruit, blood oranges, rum-raisins, pear drops, cloves and woodsmoke. Star anise. This is absolutely wonderful.

It turns bittersweet at the death of this long and warm finish.

I got in touch with Thomas from Malts of Scotland and found out that it had in fact been bottled exclusively for the shop in Paderborn as the X-mas bottling for 2014 at 59,1%. He extended an invitation to come and pick one up. Note to self: book a train now!