Craft Works SOB 2020

Whisky Tasting : The Oak Barrel, Sydney, 19 January 2021. Whisky #2 Nose: A pungent, sharp sour aroma on first nosing. Sawdust and planky wood, cabbage water (feints?), acetone, unripe fruit. Palate: Oddly vegetal. Cabbage water again, sour fruit, unseasoned wood. Finish: Short. This was produced as an independent bottling by Craft Works Distillery in late 2020. The owner sourced the new-make spirit from an undisclosed NSW distillery and matured it at his premises in Capertee NSW in an American oak ex-bourbon cask. The name “SOB” is not what you think – it stands for “Shades of Bourbon” but I do not understand the meaning as there is little that is bourbon-like about this whisky. It is clearly a young, unrefined barley spirit and in my humble opinion the cut was far too wide. I did not enjoy this whisky and frankly the one word that popped into my mind when I tasted it was "amateurish". I have read and seen some favourable reviews and tasting notes but they do not match my experience. Perhaps they are all correct and I’m wrong? Regardless, I would not want to re-taste a free pour of this, let alone buy a bottle, and I'm honestly surprised that the tasting host included it in the night's lineup. At AUD$159 for a bottle I can only assume the asking price is a joke. “Poor” : 63/100 (1.25 stars)