SMWS The Emperors New Cloves Aultmore 12 Year Old #73.164

The Emperor’s New Cloves is a 12 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Aultmore Distillery, independently bottled by The Scotch Malt Whisky Society as Cask No. 73.164. Distilled on 19 April 2011, it spent its maturation in a second-fill ex-bourbon barrel before being bottled at natural cask strength. The Canadian release is listed at 56.6% ABV, with an outturn of 203 bottles. Classified by SMWS in its Spicy & Dry flavour profile, it combines creamy dessert notes with cinnamon, clove, earthy character, citrus and aromatic spice. 

Food Pairing: Honey-glazed ham, roast pork, aged cheddar, spiced nuts, bread pudding or cinnamon-based desserts.

Tasting Notes: Rich and spicy with creamy custard and pudding notes alongside cinnamon, clove, earthy malt, citrus and aromatic herbs.

Nose: Creamy custard and rice pudding layered with cinnamon, clove, wintergreen, toffee pudding and salted cream.

Palate: Full-textured and earthy with starchy malt, mineral character and warming spice, becoming brighter and more aromatic with water.

Finish: Dry and warming with caraway, lemon-barley character, herbal notes and a gentle touch of soot.

Serve: Enjoy neat to experience its full cask-strength character, then add a few drops of water to reveal more cereal, citrus and aromatic spice.