Dornoch Distillery 2017/2021 (58.43%, OB charity auction special for India Covid relief, cask #26a, PX sherry/refill octave, 12 bottles)
Matured for 1 year in a PX sherry butt then transferred to a refill octave cask. Colour: orangey gold. Nose: reminiscent of the inaugural bottling in that it is rather bready, rounded and rich with some slightly tense and sharp citrus fruits like tangerine and grapefruit. Indeed, I find this side with bergamots, orange peel, cheng pi and crystallised lemon only intensifies with time. Some white flowers and blossom aromas also emerge, feels like it gathers freshness over time. Also some mint julep and citronella wax. With water: more scented and aromatic and vegetal with hints of asparagus, sandalwood and old workshops. There's also a more honeyed element giving an impression of sweetness and citrus curds. Mouth: lots of dried citrus peels, mirabelle, some lemon marmalade and cupboard spices such as cardamom and cinnamon. Quite peppery and bready once again with some notes of pot pourri and a further impression of citric waxiness. With water: much spicier, more towards rye bread and toasted seeds. The youthful side comes out more with some grassy and grappa-esque notes. There's a nice earthiness too with tobacco leaf, mulch and turmeric. Finish: medium, on wood spices, caraway, green pepper, dried citrus peels and a light medicinal quality. Comments: Very good, although I think I preferred the inaugural bottling by a small margin. Feels like the move to the refill cask was quite smart. Now, who actually gives a stuff about scores and all that when this is for charity, and a very worthy and urgent cause at that. SGP: 551 - 87 (pointless) points.