North Star Series 15 and 16 tasting, The Oak Barrel, Sydney, 9 March 2022. Whisky #6 Nose: Like nosing a glass of oloroso sherry in an antique shop. Antique wax-polished furniture, linseed oil, carnauba wax, cedar cigar boxes, treacle, burnt sugar, cacao nibs. Some dark fruity notes in the background but they are overwhelmed by the sheer weight of the cask influence, as if they are hidden in old camphorwood chests. Water makes the nose less intense but does not change the profile. Palate: A full, sweet, sherry and oak arrival, very similar to the nose. Spices in the development (cinnamon, allspice, tannin), dried figs, dates, liquorice root extract, a whiff of camphor. Water makes it very easy to quaff but it tends to become a little syrupy as well with sweet sherry notes floating to the top. The texture is unctuous. Finish: Long. Sweet and oaky with sherry notes that linger but oak is the final memory. I’m sure the notes above would describe a compelling dram for many enthusiasts but you have to really love intense sherry-butt maturation because the distillates are well cloaked in this one. If I were mean I could say it’s just a sherry bomb, but that would be an exaggeration and an unfair dismissal of its good qualities. It has complexity, depth and is like a big cosy blanket of rich aromas and flavours. At AUD$130 a bottle this is good value. It's a NAS and there is youthful whisky apparent, but I have the impression there is some serious whisky "of age" in the blend as well. “Good” : 84/100 (3.75 stars)