59,3°
Distillery : Bowmore - Islay
Sherry Butt
Independent Bottling
By Wemyss Malts
Limited Edition
Single Cask
Bottled in 2017
Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength
Peated around 25 ppm
In my previous post, I mentioned that Wemyss Malts, a trading company founded in 2005, produced some exceptional Single Casks. This one is famous, and a fine example. Distilled in 1998, then aged for over 18 years in a single Sherry Butt, 668 bottles were bottled at cask strength. The title 'Mocha on the Deck' is no doubt there to emphasise the notes of mocha that can be found in it. Mocha is a rather tasty type of Arabica coffee from Ethiopia and Yemen.
Let's Taste It :
Sherry liqueur, slightly acidic, but quite deep too, wisps of smoke, floral fragrances, it's heady, rich, earthy, marzipan, pudding, cake dough. Intense red fruits, strawberry, raspberry and gooseberry. Some spices, saffron, paprika. In the background, charcoal, asphalt, tar. Dry earth. On the palate, nectar, it's syrupy, rosewater, a hint of grenadine, but soon the spices rise, chilli, pepper, tarragon. Juicy fruits: damsons, mirabelle plums, blackcurrants. Coffee, forest undergrowth, damp ferns. Very fine balance at the end. Very powerful finish, even longer, carmine, red fruits, muscat grapes, grilled meat, on a layer of glowing coals. Cardamom in retro-olfaction. It's fresh.
In Short,
It's true that I found a touch of coffee in it, but that's not by far the main flavour marker, in my opinion. It's more red fruits, with a slight acidity. But it remains very complex, deep and intense throughout. A whisky of exceptional quality, the kind you can empty your savings account for without any regrets.
Score : 91
To Be Listened While Sipping :
Chet Baker - Leaving
No comments:
Post a Comment