76.157 Behold the beast (Creators Collection)

Description

From the team

Cask 76.157 Behold the beast is also an example of partial triple distillation, though in this case it’s a little more complex and uses five different stills. Without getting into the details, it provides a very punchy, robust distillate that’s very well known. At 54.3% abv this 18-year-old is noticeably heavier than Cask No. 36.228: The snaking coil. Despite spending its entire maturation in a first fill oloroso butt, the cask doesn’t overpower this meaty and earthy spirit. Beautifully balanced, the distillate shines through admirably, giving you plenty to unpack in this delightful dram.

On the nose there’s lots of dried fruits alongside a tiny kick of gunpowder and hints of serrano ham. There’s also a lovely biscuity aspect to it which complements the meatier notes well. As expected, there’s power and heft on the palate that’s well matched with soft red fruits. You could spend hours dissecting the layers of complexity in this dram, uncovering plenty of tangy spices and old leather antiques.

Tasting Panel notes

Bruised apples landed with a splash into vats of brandy, treacle and funky rum, causing droplets to spray on to dried figs and banana bread dipped in soft brown sugar. A spicy warmth washed over the fruit, cascading ginger, chillies and white pepper into apple chutney, sultanas and coal tar blended with orange bitters. Water encouraged the emergence of strawberry daiquiri and French martini cocktails, garnished with tinned peaches and sticky fresh pine wood. With its fruity spirit character taking centre stage, rich sherry notes stood their ground towards the end – where nutmeg, ginger beer and dried fruits combined with chocolate orange biscuits.