Vintage Bottlers’ inaugural 25-year-old Maiden’s Blend is an ambitious and deeply considered project, marrying carefully selected parcels from across Scotland into a single cohesive vision, further elevated through a collaboration with artist Jim Moir, better known as Vic Reeves, whose distinctive artwork adorns the labels and packaging. The youngest spirit in this blend was distilled in 1999 and laid into a first fill sherry butt for a full quarter century. This single cask expression (#9) was bottled at 43.9% ABV, offering a beautifully composed middle ground within the range. Word is these are casks lost within the transitions through the many stages of Edrington Group's blending operations. The nose layers dried fruits, dark sugar, and a subtle earthy undertone. On the palate, sherried sweetness, soft grain, and gentle smoke work in concert with excellent integration. There is a pleasing roundness here, neither as bold as #7 nor as delicate as #8. The finish is smooth and warming, with lingering caramelized sugar and faint smoke. A confident and harmonious expression.