A very interesting, and somewhat mysterious release from the 2018 Diageo Special Releases.

Cladach, much like the Collectivum XXVIII of 2017 (which blended malt whisky from all 28 functioning Scotch Malt Diageo distilleries), is a blended malt. Unlike the rounded, and somewhat middle-of-the-road 2017 offering, Cladach is a more focused blend, using coastal distilleries for a clear, maritime profile.

The blend makes use of malt whisky from Caol Ila, Clynelish, Lagavulin, Oban, Inchgower and Talisker, a stellar lineup that boasts some superb, highly esteemed distilleries.

The whisky was matured in first fill American hogsheads, refill American oak hogsheads, refill European oak butts and ex-Bodega sherry butts.

The result is a decidedly coastal blended malt, boasting notes of rich dark fruits, sherry, sea spray, wood smoke, gentle peat, jammy berries, apple, toffee, wet stone, pine, botanicals and lemon.

Bottled at a formidable 57.1% ABV, this is an opulent, full-bodied dram.

A striking and delicious whisky, this could be the dark horse of the 2018 Special Releases.

• Product type
  Blended Malt
• Country
  Scotland
• Bottling date
  2018
• Non-chillfiltered
  Yes
• Natural colour
  Yes
• SKU
  032948