Review #103 Type: Indian single malt Proof: 45% Comments: NAS, American oak matured, Spanish oak PX sherry butt finished Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Russet color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 15/20 Fruit forward but soft and subtle. Crisp pears, white raisins, juicy clementines, some milk chocolate, and a drop of clover honey. Palate: 31/40 Still fruit forward, but much less sweet than the nose. Bitter grape skins, sour unripe plumbs, cinnamon, spicy oak tannins, honey, and old leather. Finish: 29/40 Medium finish. Dry red wine tannins and subtle charred flavors to start, replaced by oak spice, nutmeg, and lime rind. Gradually becoming more earthy, enter a little vanilla, then ending on a mildly bitter note. With Water: A few drops of water cut back on the bitter and sour notes on the palate, leaving it somewhat muted. The finish sees some black pepper introduced towards the end. Total: 75/100 Final thoughts: An interesting expression, and the third I’ve tried from this distillery, helping to sort of round out my idea of their general flavor profile. It’s enjoyable enough and I’d rank it above the Asava (Review #102), but I think I prefer the Double Cask (Review #060). Ultimately all these releases are easy sippers, but lack a “wow” factor, and I’m not going to be in a rush to buy more bottles from this distillery. Price: $85 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.