The Tùsail is the 6th whisky in the so-called Private Edition series (previously there was also the Sonnalta PX, Finealta, Artein, Ealanta and Companta; the successors of the Tùsail are the Milsean and the recently released Baccalta). This one is different as it was distilled from Maris Otter barley, a winter variety that was introduced in 1965.
The nose is quite interesting, actually. I get the typical sweet notes of Glenmorangie, but this one also shows some sweet malt, vanilla cookies, and handful of nuts (hazelnuts in the lead) and toffee. Reminds me somewhat of Werther’s Originals. Some fresh and very juicy mandarin in the background.
It is very creamy with loads of nuts and sweet malt – in that sense a nice continuation of the nose – but also quite spicy in the guise of ginger and cinnamon, a single clove and some chili pepper. Yes, this is quite nice. It even has a dark side as if from stewed apricot and candied orange peel. I quite like this. And I applaud this is bottled at 46%.
The finish is fairly long, sweet and spicy. I get a surge of dades at the death.
Tùsail is Gaelic for ‘original’ or ‘initial’, which refers to the two-row barley Maris Otter which used to be much more common for whisky production, but was abandoned in favor of barley with higher yields. This bottle can still be found for 125 to 150 EUR.
I really enjoyed the bottles I had of this, and agree with your mark. Several more have showed up here, but I'm not sure I want to pay double the price of the regular 10 YO. Might spring for a few though, as it's quite good.