Wormtub 10 Year Batch 04 Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700ml

Wormtub 10 Batch 4 is back with a fourth batch, and thank goodness – it's the tremendous Wormtub 10 Year Old! Weighing in at 56.9% ABV, this single malt hails from the same undisclosed Speyside distillery as previous batches, a distillery that is known for using a worm tub condenser... that little nugget of information ought to be enough for a few among you to work out which one we're on about. The whisky was reracked into first-fill sherry casks during its 10-year maturation before being bottled at cask strength, without chill filtration or added colour. Yep, that glorious hue is all from time in the cask. Worm tub condensers are a classic bit of distilling equipment made up of long copper coiled tubes housed in cold water in a large vat. These days, many have been replaced by more efficient shell and tube condensers, which is a shame, because (as this splendid expression so expertly demonstrates) worm tubs can create distinctive, heavy, robust flavours that are prized by distillers and whisky enthusiasts alike.

Tasting Note by The Chaps at Master of Malt: Nose – Dense charred fruitcake, flamed orange peel, and fragrant cassia are joined by hearty dustings of cocoa and baking spice, with earthy forest floor notes riding throughout. Palate – Meaty malt brings notes of honeyed biltong, with oily walnuts and aged marmalade in tow. Sweet sherried fruits and tangy cranberries support trickles of rich salted caramel. Finish – A superbly long, rich finish, with dense, oily malt, and sweet candied fruit lingering for an age.