Tastes

As the last two reviews suggest, this has the common profile of most bourbons but I do get some apple on the nose which I was not expecting. At this price point, I think this is a great buy but it is just a little too spicy and a touch hot for my personal preference. I can appreciate the bargain but I don’t mind spending a little more for a smoother finish.

Got a bottle of this as a recommendation from a worker at a local liquor store while on a recent work trip. Wanted to try something local and told him I was a fan of sherry cask scotches but was also a fan of bourbon. Story he gave me was that this was from a winery that hit a spring while digging a new well and it bloomed into them making spirits. They then made this bourbon and finished it in their own port wine barrels. That being said, the port is definitely there but not so overpowering that you can’t tell it’s a bourbon either. I can definitely get the classic vanilla, caramel and fresh oak in both the nose and palate with the added touch of the fruits of the port wine. I personally think it is a light and refreshing twist to a traditional bourbon. I think the worker nailed it with this recommendation. This is like how a sherry bomb is to scotch but a port bomb bourbon, if that is such a thing. If it’s not, it is now. I’m a happy customer for sure!

I have to say I am rather shocked at the mediocre reviews of this scotch, especially from the expert. I tend to like the sherry bombs I am a big fan of the Aberlour A’Bunadh and the Aberlour 16 so when I saw this on a work trip, I picked up a bottle. I am so glad that I took the chance. It has a nice rich red hue to it and all the typical noses of a classic sherry cask, the fruits and cherries right at the front and I pick up a ever so slight hint of caramel. The palate starts off sweet, smooth, and fruity, transitioning slowly to pick up some oak, spice, and a nice little kick. The finish is much longer than expected. After patiently waiting for the slight burn to dissipate, the sherry, and sweet fruits come rushing back. I thoroughly enjoy every sip of this scotch and would highly recommend it despite what others seem to think. I got absolutely no metallic aftertaste at all.

Tried this as part of a flight including this, the balvenie Caribbean cask, and auchentoshan three wood. Big fan of sherry casks and this did not disappoint. I can’t comment on details because I had it with dinner and not really a true tasting. I was in the middle for me of the three, right behind the three wood but I definitely plan on having a bottle in my collection.

Got this to try as something unique I can’t normally get while on a trip overseas. At first glance, I was a little disappointed. I wasn’t expecting a twist cap for a pricey whisky and it’s light color made its age very evident but that quickly changed upon sipping it. Couldn’t get a whole lot of info off the bottle other than it being a sherry cask and was 43% ABV because everything else is Japanese. I have to admit thought that may be what drew me in, the mystery and my love for the sherry cask stuff. This is one definitely unique in my opinion and I have a hard time putting a label on all the scents and flavors I get. It is floral and fruity without the slightest hint of peat and I can it has the usual characteristics of a sherry cask though I would not call it a “sherry bomb”. I seem to get a lot of chocolate particularly on the nose and the occasional hint of what I can only describe as sake. Overall, I wouldn’t say I knocked it out of the park on my purchase but I am anything but disappointed and it hit the mark of the goal I was going for. For me it’s a good bottle to share and talk about with my friends that’s not so readily available to us.

Lots of layers with a lingering finish. Got the slightest touch of smoke at the end but really had to search for it. Tried as part of a flight and plan on picking up a bottle of this one.

Smoky but not overbearing, great scotch