Killowen 10 Year Dark Rum Finish (Bonded Experimental Series)

This is a blend of three whiskies from undisclosed distilleries: 75% Grain Irish Whiskey, 5% Single Malt Irish Whiskey distilled in Ireland, and 20% Single Malt Irish Whiskey distilled in Northern Ireland. The blend aged 10–12 years in ex-bourbon casks and ex-sherry butts, then were finished in a cask that previously held dark Jamaican rum from an undisclosed distillery. This release came in 375ml bottles and at an ABV of 52.5%, but I didn't think it deserved another listing on Distiller. The nose is rich starting with a mix of pineapple, banana cream pie and toasted coconut then chocolate covered raisins and macadamia nuts followed by light floral notes before fruits of sautéed apples, caramelized peaches and tangerine orange that transitions to light ginger and toasted sourdough bread with medium ethanol burn. The taste is a rich and creamy mouthfeel starting with a mix of pineapple, banana cream pie and toasted coconut then a spicy mocha and macadamia nuts followed by light floral notes before fruits of caramelized peaches, lemon zest and tangerine orange that transitions to ginger, cloves and toasted sourdough bread with medium ethanol burn. The finish is long with chocolate covered espresso beans, pineapple, caramelized peaches, ginger, cloves and vanilla Bundt cake. For me, this is a stunning blend that has a rich syrupy nose that balances the Irish, rum and sherry flavors into a harmonious mix that allows for each flavor to come through without overpowering the others that carries over to palate with some spicy earthy espresso notes before finishing long with espresso, citrus, sweets and mild spices. The only flaw with this one is that there is a youthful sourness in the background of those bold and rich flavors that ever so slightly distracts from the experience. At $90 for a 375ml, it's pricey but the quality and depth of flavors are something that I think won't disappoint any fan of Irish and rum.