Murco Andes Single Malt

Let me start telling you that i am an Ecuadorian. In Ecuador, we have never had a Single Malt, and WE STILL DON'T HAVE ONE, regardless of what this bottle says in the label, since it hasn't even reach 1 year of age, BUT i felt like doing this review because this is the first attempt for Ecuadorians to have their own whisky, their own single malt. The owner of this small distillery, told my friend, who gave me the bottle, (and this is also posted on their instagram account), that they use imported malted barley from Belgium and imported Tennessee American Oak Barrels, fully charred, to mature the spirit. They released this first expression without even reaching one year old, and it was surprisingly good. They don't use additional color or any additional artificial flavor. They are proud of the spring water that comes from Cotopaxi Volcano. Having said all that, let's get to business: Bottled at 40%abv, light gold color. On the nose: pretty nice, although a little straightforward. Uncorking and pouring it to the glass will give you this sweet prune syrup. Pretty clean prune note. Dim alcoholic note, not unpleasant. Sawdust. Those are the two main notes here and they are nice and clean. Malted barley. After first sip, aroma has more dried fruits, like big raisins and prunes. Aroma tends to be a little dim overall, mostly sweet and syrupy. (22 over 25) Palate is much more simple and even for a young spirit, this is very easy drinkable. Winey, Grapy, but mostly Cereal. Mild spiciness, mostly oak spice. Feels that barrels are not old. Easy to drink. Needs more flavor. (17 over 25) Aftertaste is where all the youth of the spirit is really shown. Malted barley, Cereal. Maybe a slight cereal burn. Not off putting. Oaky. Finish is medium long and fresh. Feels young, but not bad. (14 over 25) Balance: 18. Overall this spirit (since it is not whisky due to lack of enough legal maturation time in most parts of the world, even if Ecuador doesn't have legal requisites for calling "whisky" any spirit) feels like a good effort and it is very easy to drink and fairly better than some drams i have had in the past from all over the world. I believe that time will make this a lot better, they have a good starting point. My score for it is 71 over 100.