The Michael Jackson Special Blend (Bottled 2009) / 43% / 0.7l

Michael Jackson (1942-2007) was probably the most beloved whiskey (and beer) writer in the community.

His "Malt Whisky Companion", originally published in 1989 and translated into several languages, sold millions of copies and remains the most popular publication on whisky to this day. The Michael Jackson Special Blend is a tribute to the author to whom whisky owes so much of its current status. The author of the idea was the editors of "Whisky Magazine", who invited Doug McIvor, manager of Berry Bros. & Rudd, to cooperate. All the components of the blend came from open bottles from Michael Jackson's collection, and the criteria of the creators were not their age or country of origin, but rather their uniqueness. This limited edition of 1,000 bottles hit the market in 2009. (Michael Jackson suffered from Parkinson's disease and diabetes; he died on August 30, 2007.)

Aroma: fruity, slightly smoky, toffee, honey, vanilla, oranges, tangerines, apples, roasted nuts and almonds, notes of pepper and ginger, potpourri and oak.

Palate: toffee, vanilla cream, brown sugar, bitter orange jam, grapefruit, white pepper, mixed dried herbs, roasted almonds, traces of peat and oak.

Finish : quite long, oaky, with notes of vanilla, pepper, allspice, dried fruit and a fading trace of smoke.