Note - I'm doing the Really Good Whisky Company Advent Calendar. I've also decided to pour these whiskeys "blind" (or at least as blind as I can), then providing nose, palate, and finish notes. I'll then look at the label, proof, cask type, etc. before writing my other notes. I'll be providing some guesses around things like proof and cask type and then seeing how much I missed the mark. Slàinte Mhath! Nose: Honey, grain, banana, red apples. Strawberries, cherries, and a bit of funky, musty depth, without being new-makey. Guessting around 10 years. Applesauce with stale, pre-ground cinnamon and a sprig of mint. The fruit and type of funk are making me think maybe sherry cask is involved? Cherry cola. ABV might be closer to 50%? Clove-studded oranges. Nutmeg. Probably all malt - the rounded, full character makes me doubt there's any grain. Well integrated. Not totally confident on region but possibly Speyside? Palate: Luxardo maraschino cherries. Oak and vanilla. For as sweet as this is, there's a drying quality. Makes me wonder if there isn't either some much older whiskey involved, or if there isn't some re-char happening - tannic and slightly bitter. Strawberries with balsamic vinegar and black pepper. Super ripe orange. Black pepper, cinnamon, and a little nutmeg. There's some slight vegetation happening - lemongrass and bell peppers? Relatively well balanced, if a little "hot". Prickles all over the tongue. Starting to wonder if we're in sherry cask at higher proof. Medium mouthfeel. Finish: Ethanol, char, vanilla, cherries. Honey and vanilla come in, and there's a good amount of tannin. Things shift and we see black pepper come back, alongsinde nutmeg and citrus oils. Maybe a touch of pine as well. If you let linger for a while, you'd swear you have the aftertaste of blueberries. Moderate length. Other notes: Speyside? Check. ABV? Ehhh... not quite (47.5%). Cask? Mostly - fist fill sherry puncheon. If memory serves, most distilleries aren't getting true used sherry casks but rather casks that have been "seasoned" with sherry. I'd wonder if that's what contributed to the strong oak influence here, especially with the spice and tannin. This was good! Not a sulphurous sugar bomb, though the sherry absolutely is evident, the balance was pretty on spot for my tastes. Don't get me wrong, though - there's a distinct sweetness here, it's just not tooth-achingly sweet. If I ever happened across a bottle in the wild, I might pick it up. Cheers!