49.5% 70cl

The fifth release in Elixir Distillers' Rosebank Roses series, Fascination is a 21-year-old single malt which, like the others in the collection, has been released to celebrate Valentine’s Day. This single malt is a combination of spirit distilled in both 1990 and 1991, matured in ex-Madeira casks and American oak barrels for 21 years. Citrussy aromas of candied citrus peel and fresh lemon are joined by rye bread, white chocolate, sherbet pips and mint on the nose, complemented by notes of green apple, sugared almonds, custard and vanilla cream throughout the palate.

• NOSE

  Sweet cream, honeysuckle, and spring meadow flowers lead. Apple blossom and creamy vanilla custard follow, with sliced apple and pear, and rich citrus peel notes orange and lemon. Candied flower petals – violet and rose – develop, wafting delicately over a field of buttery malt.

• PALATE

  The sweet cream from the nose returns, with spicy bodyguards: cinnamon and nutmeg to one side, white and black pepper on the other. Stewed apples roll in, with licorice and anise touches. Sweetshop notes hide at the bottom: candy necklaces, apple chews, and creamy milk chocolate. Floral notes develop, with delicate petals and sweet syrup tinged with a hint of leafy mint. Water softens the spice but leaves the intensity of flavour. Buttery notes are amplified, and fruit and cream notes develop strawberry- and orange-creme-filled chocolates.

• FINISH

  A burst of buttermint fades to leave sweet floral touches and gentle green leaf notes.