I've heard a lot of good things about the old bottling, but had to settle for one from 11.2020 instead. I've heard this was aged for 12 years in ex-bourbon, plus 2 years in 2 different sherry casks. However, as with any NAS whisky, it's virtually impossible to verify the real age. Nose: I love a good sherried whisky, but this isn't what I was expecting at all. This is like cognac, pure cognac. Seemingly something close to XO class. Raisins, berries, a touch of vanilla and spice, some tobacco and leather. Quite heavy on oak, but not overpowering. But where's the malt? I can't find any distinct whisky notes in this, no matter how hard I try. It's still a very nice nose, but it's not exactly a whisky nose per se. Taste: A bit less cognac, more like a good brandy, but still not quite the sherried whisky I was looking for. I guess this is what happens when you run a triple distilled malt without much character of its own through heavily seasoned sherry casks. The sherry has taken over the palate completely. At the same time, it's not exactly what I would call a sherry bomb either. A sherry bomb whisky is a fine fusion of malt and brandy notes, but I'm simply not getting the malt here. It's also bit thinner than I expected. Watering down to 43 ABV and chill filtering this release was not the best idea. Finish: Medium, sweet and dry. Moderately heavy on oak. I'm also getting some leather, tobacco and black tea notes, plus a light touch of pepper. It's a classic sherried finish, minus the malt, which is nowhere to be found. Final thoughts: I really find it hard to recommend this release, although I don't dislike it myself. It's certainly unusual and even somewhat pleasant, but it simply doesn't smell or taste like whisky at all. That would be more forgivable if only this was a proper sherry bomb, with a thicker body and more actual distillery character. I would love to try an unfiltered release at 46 ABV.