Sullivans Cove 17 Year Old 'Old & Rare' French Oak 2nd Fill TD0028 is a rare and exceptional release from the renowned Old & Rare series. Distilled on August 10, 2005, and bottled on March 22, 2023, this whisky spent 17 years and 7 months maturing in a second-fill French oak cask. The cask, which had previously matured Sullivans Cove whisky, offers a perfect balance of oak influence and spirit character, allowing for extraordinary long-term ageing without overpowering the whisky with oak flavors. Bottled at 48.3% ABV, only 415 bottles were produced, each presented in an elegant solid walnut case with a signed certificate of authenticity. This example is bottle 135. The nose is a delightful mix of freshly baked croissant with orange marmalade, honeycomb, rose petals, vanilla cream, gingerbread, spiced pears, leather, and toasted caraway. On the palate, it delivers a luxurious texture with orange blossom, sandalwood, strawberries, ginger wine, raspberry jam, toffee, and a hint of cloudy lemonade. The finish is long and complex, with brine, citrusy anise, oak, spice, and playful notes of green apple, melon, and a hint of margarita zest. A true gem for collectors and whisky connoisseurs alike.