Scallywag Cask Strength

Scallywag Cask Strength, NAS, 53,6 %

Scallywag is the Speyside variant in Douglas Laings range of Remarkable Regional Malts, a series of blended malts. The original Scallywag was released in 2013, and in 2015 they released this limited cask strength version. The Scallywag Cask Strength has been maturd in a mix of sherry butts and bourbon casks. Only the names of three of the malts used are given, and those are Mortlach, Macallan and Glenrothes.

I have previously reviewed the regular version here. This Limited Edition 1 of the Scallywag Cask Strength has a total outturn of 6000 bottles as far as I can tell.

The Scallywag Cask Strength is available to buy in Norway at NOK 695 (2886501), in Sweden at SEK 649 (8492001), and in the UK at around GBP 44.

Nose (22/25): Dried fruits - mild sherry notes, honey and caramel. Cinnamon and nutmeg. Dusty library, or old attic. Chocolate and dusty tropical fruits (that's a bit odd, isn't it?)

Taste (21/25): Fruity and spicy. Lots of dark chocolate, the very expensive stuff with dark fruit liqueurs inside. Very, very rich.

Finish (22/25): Still with the exclusive dark chocolate with the delicious filling, but it is now joined by After Eight - dark chocolate with mint. The cool finish is a nice touch. Hints of oak, fresh mint, peppermint and eucalyptus. Right at the end the chocolate is no longer dark, it is a lighter chocolate mousse now.

Balance (22/25): I really liked this one. It was a bit surprising that this turned out to be a real chocolate treat, though.

Score (87/100)

Sláinte! - Thomas