Hazelburn 13 Year Old 2007

So this is the follow up of the incredible 2020 version of Hazelburn 13, which is a blend of bourbon and sherry casks that is bottled at 48.6%. The nose starts with a light mix of bourbon and sherry followed by sun soaked hay along with cinnamon raisin oatmeal cookies then funky fruits of baked salty lemon, orange and poached pear before transitioning to a light peat smoke, sea water crashing over coastal rocks and vanilla cream with no ethanol burn. The taste is a thin mouthfeel starting with a light mix of bourbon and sherry followed by barnyard hay then funky fruits of baked salted orange, lemon and pear before a moderate sulfur and spice come in mid-palate that overpowers but eventually fades to a light peat smoke, light minerality and vanilla extract with light ethanol burn. The finish is medium length with lingering sulfur bitterness, chocolate covered raisins, light campfire ash, ocean sea salt, and baked oranges. The nose started promising with light aromas of a mix of bourbon and sherry casks with barnyard hay, cinnamon raisin cookies, citrus fruits, light smoke and some minerality that carries over to the palate but quickly turns bitter with a sulfur and spice overload that fades but then re-emerges on the finish overpowering those funky fruits. This is sadly nowhere near the amazing 2020 version that was all oloroso casks that in a side by side really highlights the thinner mouthfeel, bitterness and off-balance of the 2021 version. I now must wait patiently and hopeful for when the 2022 version comes out to hopefully restock my ever depleting supply of Hazelburn 13.

Even better the next day

Smooth apricot

Nose: Dried fruit - raisins, chocolate, coffee Palate: Citrus, orange, chocolate, black pepper, oak, dried fruit Finish: Medium finish, gristy, oak, raisins, coffee. There is a watered down feel to this whisky. Not bad, but there is a feeling of something missing in the layers. Generally OK. 1 of 9,900 bottles