Style: Sherry and Herbal
Nose:
Robust chilli spices fires up while pull pork notes knitting into heavy cranberry jam. Strawberries and cream, dark cherries, coffee jelly infused with herbal liquor. Balsamic vinegar overtone, faint grassy notes and cereal malt. Polished off with a subtle copper tone.
Palate:
Thick dark cherry trickling down on the palate. Jelly beans, whipped cream, milk chocolate sauce, a hint of citrus all pouring into steaming cappuccino. Herbal greens stride through with strengthening dry spices. Caramel coffee candy, a pinch of crushed barley. Salty, smoked meat overtone which is quietly weaved into the expression. More grassy liquor emerges towards the back, black liquorice finish.
Finish:
Red currants, more black liquorice all building on top of a molten caramel layer. Smooth, sweet and slightly earthy.
Thoughts:
Curious. We have thick and round sherry crust while the spirit within hitting unusual high notes; massive dark fruits sweetness stewing with distinct dryness embedded in the core; an overall matured vibe but glimpses of rawness. Quite a few traits from both ends of the spectrum. A rather unusual profile that I need time to adjust to it, but maybe that’s because I don’t have much experience with Irish whiskey, especially at cask strength. But it is definitely an interesting and complicated one to play with, sweet and robust.
☆ [Recommended]
[59.9% • Independent Bottling • 1999 Distilled • 2015 Bottled • Single Cask • Cask Strength • Non Coloured • Non Chill Filtered • 026 of 576 Bottles • Matured in 1st Fill Oloroso Sherry Butt • Cask Number: 30087 • Aged 14 to 15 Years • *-]
-Esmond
