West Midlands Distillery The Matriarch Inaugural Release 3 Year Old, Bourbon, Oloroso Sherry & Rum Cask, Cask #002, 003, 004 & 005, 2025, 51.9%

The mix of spiced fruit and vanilla-caramel sweetness gives this a pleasing balance, with tropical notes keeping it from feeling one-note. The subtle smoke on the finish is a nice counterpoint. It sounds warm and rounded without losing the spice.

Caramel meets smoky warmth.

FernRover23 Apr

Caramel and spice give this a welcoming core, while tropical sweetness and a little smoke add a twist. The listed SGD 598.71 sale reference makes it a spend to think over, not an automatic bargain—but there’s enough character here to catch my interest.

There’s a pleasing balance here between the familiar vanilla and caramel notes and the more spiced, fruity side. The tropical sweetness adds another turn, while the subtle smoke on the nose and lingering in the finish sounds restrained rather than dominant. That mix gives the whisky some variety without making the description feel crowded. The range of casks is interesting, but the appeal rests most clearly on those contrasts in the flavour notes.