Knappogue Castle 16 Year Sherry Cask Finished

Visual: Medium amber/gold color. Darker than the 12-year and 14-year, but since they are all artificially colored, I think the distillery’s coloring choice has more to do with it than maturation. Thin to medium legs that take a little while to slide into the glass. Nose: Nutty and grainy like the 14-year, but with more vanilla and spice. Two extra years in ex-bourbon casks seem to have had an effect (note that even though the name says sherry cask, the sherry casks are only introduced for the final six months of maturation). This definitely has a more bourbon-like nose than its younger sibs. Palate: Sweet and nutty like the nose, with some grain and a little spice. The savory notes of the 12-year and 14-year are diminished in the 16. Also, all the flavors seem to be muted as compared to the 14-year (which I tried side-by-side), which I suspect is the result of the lower, 40% ABV. Like the 14-year, there is a nice sweetness, but it is not over the top. Finish: The finish is woody, and slightly bitter, with a bit of almond. The length is medium, and the warmth is surprisingly similar to the 14-year despite the lower ABV. Empty glass: Candied nuts. I like this better than the 12-year-old, but not as much as the 14. I think this might just be the superior juice if it weren’t diluted to 40% ABV, but I guess I will never know. I’m giving it four stars as I did the 14-year, but it is a less robust four stars (call it perhaps an 84 versus an 89).