Review #57 - Whisk(e)y #41 First fully sherry cask matured whisk(e)y for me. Bought it at around 35 euros, which seems like a good deal given average prices it is found for. Chill-filtered - Yes? Added Colour - No ABV - 43% Aspect - deep gold-amber, really quite oily Nose - finally proper sherry influence! Sweet, oily, creamy, dried fruit (raisins especially, dates as well), subtle spices (cinnamon), oak, honey, vanilla, milk chocolate, malt, but also some ripe orchard fruit (red apple). Beautiful nose. Palate - beautiful creamy texture...is it actually chill-filtered? The second thing that hit me is...PEAT! That was unexpected! But acceptable, even for me, adds some complexity, albeit slightly overpowering on the front end (disappears with oxidation). Then the same notes as on the nose, namely honey, vanilla, caramel, oak, malt, nutty, sweet, milk chocolate, general dried fruit, and also earthiness from the peat, with subtle bitterness and spice. Finish - medium, oily, oak, dryness towards the end, with plum. After-taste has some bitterness, dark chocolate, and very prominent raisins, figs and dates. The peat really made it quite different from my expectations, but surprisingly pleasant (given how sickening I have found the Ardbeg 10 to be). However, with more oxidation, the nose and palate clean up (barely any peat), leaving behind a very pleasant hint of smoke, with the spiciness being strengthened on the back-end. Complex, intriguing and great mouthfeel...although slightly too spicy, it is a very good whisky. Rating System: 5.0 - Perfect 4.5 - Exceptional 4.0 - Very Good 3.5 - Good 3.0 - Decent 2.5 - Average 2.0 - Below Average 1.5 - Barely Drinkable 1.0 - Undrinkable 0.5 - JB