12.62 Heaven-sent (Vaults Collection)

Description

Read the tasting notes from our expert panel on this one. Then re-read them. A sherried whisky you’ll never forget would be the perfect summary of Cask 12.62 in this case. Every so often we see the kind of whisky that displays that rare balance of being both very obviously old and stately, but at the same time tropical and lively. A whisky that strafes that balance of being both clearly displaying the age statement, but holding onto its youth in the background. This is that whisky. It’s had a long time in full sherry maturation so the age and grace of that level have held on — but, at the same time, there’s that classic ’12’ distillate of mango and lychee, all wrapped up in a sublime ‘heaven-sent’ experience.

An aroma of incense of the most valued scented aloeswood which noblemen of the ancient Japanese imperial court called ‘Kyara Kongo’ and translates into ‘Diamond Kyara’ filled the room. On the palate somewhat heavy and dark but at the same time fruity and light as we envisaged watching the show ‘How the Andalusian Horses Dance’, an equestrian ballet accompanied by Spanish music in the Royal Andalusian School in Jerez. With a drop of water, we imagined the beating wings of a hummingbird, gracile, filigree, a playful elegance and seemingly without the slightest effort. A heaven-sent enjoyment you will not easily forget. After twenty-nine years in an ex-oloroso butt, we transferred this whisky into a first fill PX butt.