Westward Pinot Noir Cask Finish

Been waiting to find this. Tasting neat. Rosy brown and strong coating legs in the glass. Chocolate malted milkshake on the nose with tart strawberries and heavy cream. Chocolate, malted grain, wine barrel residue, and soft smoky leather/oak tannins in the mouth. A little sour berries/grapes with some prominent herbal funky grassy marijuana flavors at the back. An oily coating mouthfeel--very rich feeling but not heavy. Surprising and unusual flavor profile at first taste, but it is consistent over multiple sips--that surprise-factor doesn't really fade away. In the finish, some dry cocoa and baking spices show up, sweeter rather than hot spices. Finish is soft, sweet and sour, oily, and relatively short. A classic American single malt style, but definitely unusual given the prominent pinot cask finish. I'm guessing that will/could be polarizing. If you don't like wine-finished whiskey then don't bother with this--the grape is strong in this one, and there's not a lot of tannins or spice to counterbalance. I guess that's what I was hoping for or missing. Very easy to drink at 45% ABV --seems softer/lower than that. Unusual, but not bad or broken. As always, I will revist this review as I sip this bottle down.

Fruity, lightly sweet, lightly woody aroma. Smooth, lightly woody, light sweetness, light vanilla, light chocolate.

Rich in taste, oily and mouth coating, malty, spicy with red wine tannins. Great whiskey.