The lakes distillery have given us another offering of the superb blend ” the one” this time finished in oloroso sherry casks.  This is a limited edition of just 3,335 bottles, and has been released in order to celebrate the 2nd birthday of the distillery.  The whisky is the same blend from distilleries across the British Isles before being given a finish in first class oloroso casks..  The lakes distillery was founded by Paul Currie, the first expression released was ” the one” in September  2013 whilst the distillery was opened in December 2014.

This sherry finish is again bottled at 40%.

The first thing you notice is the colour, a deeper gold tint that certainly shows off the sherry influence.

Nose.. There is instantly that sherry aroma, dried fruits along with a candied orange note, some chocolate orange notes mingle with baked pear soaked in rich heather honey, the sweetness from the original version is still there, lush vanilla notes play alongside toffee and an ever so soft smokey note.

Palate..  The palate matches the nose in that the sherry is certainly dominant, orange peel along with dates and figs are first across your taste buds, followed by the subtler vanilla notes, dark chocolate and peanut brittle ride along with the dry smokey undertone, there is a little spicy kick from ginger and cinnamon all wrapped up in subtle oaky notes.

Finish.. The finish is a lovely smokey dry kind of finish..

Thoughts.. Once again you can’t help but be impressed with this offering from the lakes distillery. I gave ” the one” third place in my blend of the year but I think this might just have pushed real hard. I really find it a shame this is not going to be an ongoing release, I do think they have something special here. The finish has given this already good malt an edge, a little more dimension and complexity. Well done on another lovely, easy to drink whisky.. Don’t miss out, get some before it has all gone..