Review #102 Type: Indian single malt Proof: 45% Comments: NAS, American oak matured, finished in Indian Cabernet Sauvignon casks Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Auburn color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 14/20 You can find the wine influence on the first whiff. Grape skins, vinegar, and red currant candies stand out most. There’s also lemon peel, old wooden boards, and a certain damp mustiness that I can’t quite pinpoint. Palate: 30/40 Slightly watery mouthfeel, but very punchy and sharp. Red wine tannins, oak tannins, black pepper, and sour unripe plumbs. Finish: 29/40 Medium finish. Starts with lots of cinnamon and a little fruit cup cocktail syrup, gradually as this unique combination of flavors subsides it becomes dryer as oak tannins emerge and carry through to the end. With Water: A few drops of water introduces some sweet fresh raspberries to the palate, but the nose and the finish remain unaltered. Total: 73/100 Final thoughts: I think the wine finish unfortunately overpowered the malt on this expression. I remember enjoying the Rampur Double Cask (review #060) much more than this one. Between these two, the character of the distillate seems to do better with the milder influence of ex-bourbon rather than this extremely robust red wine. Price: $75 Would recommend: no Would buy: no Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.