Waterford Tasting, The Oak Barrel, Sydney, November 27th 2023, Whisky #1 Nose: rich, soft, mellow barley. There are fruity notes but these are not “orchard” or “citrus” in character, instead there is a clear impression that these fruity aromas are cereal-derived. There is a buttery quality but also a crispness. It is very well integrated and reminiscent of the nose on a big chardonnay. There is no sign whatsoever of woody notes. Palate: The arrival is entirely cereal in profile and has an almost sparkling, effervescent quality. There is some bright ginger spice that is glittering and “precise” but the personality of this whisky is 100% centred on fresh, crisp barley. The texture is wonderfully oily. Finish: Medium. Crisp cereal with a creamy aftertaste. This was my first chance to taste this whisky since the Whisky Show in May this year, and it was great to have a chance to sit down and focus on the dram in a more relaxed situation. Looking at my previous notes (see below) I had very much the same impressions as before, but I was just a fraction less impressed and I'm decreasing my rating by 1 percentage point. It’s not that this is sub-standard in any way (far from it!) it was just overshadowed by the other four unpeated Waterford whiskies on show, and as I had clear ratings in mind for them, this needed to move down a slot. “Good” : 84/100 (3.75 stars) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sydney Whisky Show May 20th 2023. Whisky #24 Nose: Sweet, freshly mown hay, orchard fruit, muesli (not toasted, the type with raw oats). As it evolves in the glass there is a butter-sugar roux aroma. Palate: Sweet and spicy arrival with ginger, sweet grapefruit, stewed rhubarb, lemon custard with a little clove, white pepper and some spritzy white wine flavours (in some ways the palate reminds me of a young un-oaked chardonnay). The texture is creamy and just a little oily. Towards the finish there is a nutty flavor (almonds, walnuts) and fresh white bread rolls. Finish: Medium/Long: Spicy (ginger, nutmeg, allspice), grape must, light tobacco and a drop of eucalyptus. I’ve been remiss in writing tasting notes recently, so I’m scrambling here to catch up on my Sydney Whisky Show tastings from back in May. Two more Waterford reviews will follow. This Waterford expression is part of the Arcadian series and was matured for 4 years in a variety of casks. It shows all the positive notes of youthful whisky without being dragged down by any particular faults. The nose is complex and very “crisp” while on the mouth it initially follows suit but then develops even greater depth and a more enveloping, rich quality. It’s very much an exploration into the many facets of malted barley, as highlighted by fresh young oak casks without those casks imposing lumpen vanilla notes. “Very Good” : 85/100 (4 stars)