Well, it didn’t take long to try a slightly more aged version of the Hazelburn spirit as I was at it the next day with a sample of the 12. Based on what I liked in the 12, I was guess the extra time in a cask would have me like it just a bit more. Was I right?
Minutia: Research suggested this saw Sherry casks in some capacity, though I’m unsure how many casks and what amount of time they spent there since it’s not a regular offering and isn’t on their website. Based on my knowledge of how Springbank/Glengyle (Kilkerran) does their vatting, I’d guess it’s the full maturation time with some ratio of Bourbon to Sherry. Enjoyed neat in a glencairn, rested about 10 minutes.
Color: Tawny russet muscat, 1.3.5.
Nose: Tamer form of that caramely burny taste of the 10, some kind of fruit pretending to be smoky.
Taste: Metaly, spicy fruit medley.
Finish: Salty, funky, hot, medium-long
I enjoyed every aspect of this the same or better than the 10. The fruit felt better, probably due to this seeing Sherry casks. The very subtle smokiness came through more, too, which I’m expecting if from a bit more time touching the char. This was good, but still not very memorable. I don’t think it’s the 3 distillations that I’m not entirely a fan of as I enjoy Irish whiskies, so I think it’s just the lack of peat stopping me from really appreciating this, and the fact I enjoy the lightly to heavily peated lines from Springbank suggests that to be true.
Score: 78
SMWS Name: A fruit in peat’s clothing
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