88 / 100
The fruit and honey on the nose suggest plenty of sweetness, but leather and toasted almond provide contrast from the start. On the palate, honeyed sweetness and dark chocolate sit alongside red and white fruits, a tangy edge, cinnamon and faint sappy pine. That combination suits my preference for sweeter whisky with something firmer beside it. The spice and pine keep the sweetness from being the only point of interest, rather than hiding it. The long finish brings dry oak and spice into the picture, while sweet malt remains at the end. The richer, sherried character seems to be the main draw here; the drier notes are an important part of its balance.
Reviewed by TeacupSoda
- Nose
- Black berries and blue berries, Honey, Leather, Toasted almond
- Palate
- Red and white fruits, Honeyed sweetness, Dark chocolate, Cinnamon, Faint sappy pine
- Finish
- Dry oak, Spice, Sweet malt, Lingering pine sap