ContemplativeFox
Hellyer's road original 15 year old
Single Malt — Tasmania , Australia
Reviewed
May 15, 2023 (edited May 18, 2023)
Rating: 16/23
Woo! This is the 2500th booze I'm reviewing!
N: There's a bit more alcohol than I expected, but then there's just tons of decadence: orchard fruits (juicy peaches and nectarines, pears, tangerines, apricots), vanilla, modest maltiness, faint caramel, touches of baking spices, lemon. So good!
P: A bit more heat than I expected at 46% ABV, so I guess the nose wasn't lying. It isn't harsh though.
The palate is unfortunately a bit thin. My immediate impression is that this received more water than it should have. The grains also show in that way that's a little bit on the bitter side.
Moving past that, I get sweet malt with a well-integrated orange and apricot backing. Maybe a hint of white pepper in the burn. Possible hints of cayenne as well.
I like the decadence here, but there's too much heat, it's too thin, the grain is too watered out, and there isn't adequate complexity. I think that this would be a lot better at a higher proof.
F: The malt grows and the baking spices come out more now too. Not much fruit left here. Surprisingly, this is the most complex version. Oh, the vanilla is coming back on the long finish! I like this better than the palate.
- Conclusion -
I really like this at the beginning and the end, but the middle (i.e. the palate) is unfortunately a disappointment. This is still a very nice whiskey, but it isn't quite great. I would give it a 17, but that heat makes me drop it to a 16. Though maybe I'm overstating the negative side of that grain bitterness. It could be a 17 after all.
Regardless, hopefully some air in the bottle is kind to this.
140.0
USD
per
Bottle
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@Slainte-Mhath I feel you. I don't like whiskey as a collectible or investment. It's sad and frustrating that one can't just go out and buy a bottle of good whiskey at a fair price these days. There are a few options left, but the challenge is increasing.
@ContemplativeFox With the way how prices are going, this is becoming a real problem. Would I open that Springbank 25 today? No, but I am glad it is already open. I am not a collector, just a slow drinker. And suddenly you become an investor, it's nice to have all these expensive bottles, but isn't whisky made for drinking?
Yikes @Slainte-Mhath , opening a bottle of that price is a tough pill to swallow. I'd definitely try the sample and not open the bottle. Smart move you made :)
@ContemplativeFox I bought a bottle of the Port Ellen 12th Release a couple of years ago, but I am very reluctant to open it. Prices are north of $4000 by now (I bought it for half), so I got a 4 cl sample at my local bar ($130), which I'll enjoy for my 500th review in July. Is it worth it? Probably not, but who knows.
2500! 🤯 Congrats!
Thank you @Slainte-Mhath :) Looking forward to reading your thoughts on the port Ellen!
@Slainte-Mhath that’s a dream malt. Curious to get your take on it
Congrats to you and your liver. I am approaching 500, looks like I will finally taste that Port Ellen 12th Release.
Wow…2500!?!? Did you start when you were 10 yr old ? 😁
Thank you @DrRHCMadden @cascode ! Indeed, this is years of reviews and I'm still working through my review backlog.
Crikey. 2500 - over what stretch of time? A good few years, I hope! Well done. 3.5 sounds about right for this, from memory.
2500 😵💫 congratulations chief, what a milestone!