Ah, yes. In a sea of sherry and bourbon, it’s always fun to spot a Port barrique. The ripe red fruit character takes very well to more robust distillates, and 73 certainly falls into that category. One of the bolder “sweet, fruity & mellow” casks you will come across, and you’ll be happy you did. Tasting Panel Note: The aroma was that of tender, moist, slow-cooked pulled pork with a homemade barbecue sauce next to apple-glazed barbecued baby back ribs. If you are not hungry yet wait for the taste, as we tucked into roast duck breast with a hazelnut sauce. After reduction, the scent of ripe plums, heather honey, treacle tarts next to cranachan and Turkish delight added to the foodie theme. The taste was like grabbing a handful of real fruit juice jellies and soft pistachio nougat. Following 10 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, we transferred this whisky into a second fill port barrique.