Amber-orange in the glass with sparse, quick legs. Another wonderful pour thanks to @pkingmartin. As usual I’ve blinded myself to remain objective. Could it be from Scotland? Wales? Texas? Mexico? I have no idea at this point… Right out of the glass I get canned peaches in syrup. There’s a bit of apple cider and cola that follow. Outright bonkers. Not funky or old, just an interesting mix of aromas. Sort of like a state fair. Pre-test probability and the availability heuristic make me think this is another Penderyn. With cognitive bias out of the way, I could even believe this is brandy and not scotch. It’s so fruity. There are slightly astringent oak notes as well as vanilla extract, maybe a bit of cacao nibs or even blonde espresso. Hot! Also, this is a bit thin, but so be it. The fruit hits up front, bright and acidic. Then a swell of buttery notes come around that weren’t expected, then some rather jammy bits and some wine-finish rancio. I would venture to say this is a wine cask finish whisky because on the second sip, before the air makes it into my mouth and as long as I can hold it before the burn wins – there is a really nice base of less astringent, soft oak and caramel. It’s quickly overcome by the wave of fruit, butter (maybe even ghee) and then nuts, cola and jammy wine finish. I’m gonna go all in on this being red wine-barrel finished. I would guess that maturation is curtesy of first-fill ex-bourbon but those caramel flavors just get blown out. Answer – Penderyn 10y Maderia cask strength. Sometimes cognitive bases serve a purpose. I never would have guessed anything close without having recently tried another cask strength Penderyn. The DNA is clearly the same but the wine is much more present here. Reading over notes from @pkingmartin, @contemplativefox and @pbmichiganwolverine the guava is now readily apparent and the Sweedish Fish is pretty dead on as well. Nuts stuff, never would have guessed 10 years. I’m not sure the Maderia works for me but it might for plenty of others. Regardless, this is an incredibly interesting and in your face pour!