Millstone 2019 Special No. 26 Peated Rivesaltes

Zuidam's Millstone distillery, located in the Dutch border town of Baarle-Nassau, built its name on genever and liqueurs before turning to whisky. This Special No. 26 represents that ambition: a Dutch single malt just three years old, yet mature in character thanks to maturation in Rivesaltes casks.

Rivesaltes is a sweet, fortified wine from southern France. Those casks deliver this whisky's distinctive deep-gold colour and impart subtle elegance—sweetness without cloying. The peated malt brings smoke and depth, held in tension against the citrus and orchard-fruit notes that define Millstone's house style.

On the nose: warm cherry and orange, roasted almond, and campfire smoke. The palate balances fruit and smoke with ease, layered with vanilla and chocolate. The finish remains clean and smoky, lacking the harshness you might expect from a whisky so young.