Auchentoshan 28 Year Old 1998 Thompson Bros 45.9%

Nose: There is a massive, undeniable breakfast-bar theme running through the opening presentation. It is packed with sweet grains and chocolate—think chewy Cadbury Brunch Bars, trail mix, cranberry granola, and chocolate Weetabix Minis. Once you get past the tuck-shop nostalgia, a richer bakery note of flaky cherry Danish appears, alongside the bright, youthful fruitiness of a Beaujolais Day pour, mandarin citrus peel, and a surprisingly hoppy hit of Citra cask ale.

Palate: A beautifully complex and structural arrival. A striking hit of crisp wine acidity immediately meets the deep, nutty complexity of old, oxidised red wine. Bergamot-forward Earl Grey tea and bitter pomelo cut through the middle, allowing that nutty, dried-fruit trail mix from the nose to make a welcome return. The dram then shifts gears into an intriguing, resinous territory, showing notes of sticky stone pine resin and an array of curious, bittersweet European herbal liqueurs.

Finish: Medium to long, with the sweetness completely dropping away in favour of a dry, delightfully savoury end. It leaves the palate with warming fenugreek, dried oregano, and a final, texturing crunch of slightly charred oats.