Sweetdram Blend #1 Blended Scotch Whisky

Sweetdram Blend #1 is a blended Scotch whisky married in ex-Tawny Port casks.

Three components do the work here. Single grain whisky aged in virgin oak supplies a bold, woody backbone; sherried Invergordon brings punch; and peated Ardmore adds body, length and a wisp of smoke. The Edinburgh team then brought the blend together in ex-Tawny Port casks from the Douro, an unusual finish for a blended Scotch, and it accounts for the depth sitting alongside the lift. Sweetdram built its name on Escubac and has since worked across rum, amaro and whisky from its own distillery, always with an eye on how a spirit behaves in a drink.

Cream soda, cacao husk, sandalwood, pineapple and green almond on the nose; the palate is honeyed and viscous before spicy wood, parchment and caramelised walnut arrive. Water coaxes out the Ardmore smoke. Sip it with a dash of water, or build a long drink with good soda over ice.