90
score
whiskyfun.com
October 26, 2016
More or less the same proportions for this UK-only bottling of 2,700 skittles. I believe it was the last Tun 1401 ever, before they started to issue much larger batches under the Tun 1509 moniker. Colour: amber, so darker than batch 7. Nose: more floral, wit peonies, and more sherried for sure, which the colour already suggested. More walnuts, a touch of bacon, then seven bags of raisins of all kinds, heather honey, and then simply notes of old sherry. Not sherried whisky, sherry as a wine. You know, Jerez. With water: a game-y side, some old hay, soy sauce, umami, chicken soup… Well, this is a Spartan story, three sherry casks managed to force nine bourbon casks to their knees. Mouth (neat): there’s this oakiness again, but this time it mingles with the spirit rather better, creating a mentholy and liquoricy profile that works a treat. Vicks, Seville oranges, peppermint, black pepper… You do feel the pepper in the back of your throat even before you’ve swallowed one single drop. With water: classic, complex, herbal, minty, and very raisiny. A blend of oloroso with PX (I know, a crime). Finish: rather long, smoother, never too oaky, with a dry aftertaste. Dry aftertastes always call for more. Comments: simply better. I mean, more to my liking…
