Annandale Man o' Words Founders' Selection 6 Year Old, Oloroso Sherry Cask, 2023, 60.5%

shortwave compass8 Oct

The finish is the clearest draw: long and smooth, with warmth and spice lingering alongside creamy toffee, dates and raisins. That gives the richer sweetness a lively counterpoint, rather than letting it settle into a single note. The nose’s stewed apples and nutmeg also set up a pleasing bridge to the palate’s fresh herbs, coffee and fruit. There’s enough contrast here to hold my interest, and the described finish makes this a warmly appealing dram on paper.

teacup.tram2 Oct

Stewed apples and dried fruits on the nose sit beside creamy toffee, a pairing that appeals more to me than sweetness on its own. The palate moves toward malt, fresh herbs and coffee, while hints of pear and strawberries keep some fruit in the picture. What interests me is the shift: the nose leans into cooked fruit and toffee, but the palate takes a more herbal direction. The long, smooth finish brings back creamy toffee with dates, raisins and spice. That smoothness is the most persuasive texture detail here, especially beside the lingering warmth. The progression gives this more interest for me than a continuous sweet note would.

Creamy toffee and dried fruit get a welcome counterpoint from herbs and coffee.

OatmilkSoda29 Aug

Oloroso Sherry Cask is the useful anchor here; the notes pair stewed apple and dried fruit with coffee, walnuts and a warm, spiced finish. There’s some welcome contrast, without asking the cask label to do all the explaining. A solid, fairly direct set of notes.