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Nose: sherry has a fine structure. Round and melted. Rancio, timber, cocoa and coffee are in harmony. Hints of sulfur and varnishes. A classy nose that I like.

Palate: very sweet. Oily texture. It tasted red fruit and more specifically the strawberry. Concentrated. Some savory touches at the end.

Finish: long and warm on strawberry jam and woody hints.

Comments: a beautiful expression of sherry. Salty hints aftertaste make me to think that malt was influenced by proximity of the sea ...
I love.
2013

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Colour: Old gold amber
Nose: Smooth, floral, round, on Christmas spices, tangerine and orange.
Taste: Smooth, juicy, oaky, floral, intense, rather spicy, on Christmas spices, tangerine, orange and diverse floral notes. The finish is medium, rich, spicy, on honey, light floral notes, cinnamon, nutmeg and orange.
Impression: A good and intense whisky.
2012

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Color: Dark amber.

Nose: The nose is rich with notes of dried fruit (raisins, dates) becomes almost vinous, juicy, with notes of liquid caramel, dark chocolate, praline. The dried apricot grows precisely in the manner of an old white wine. Adding a dash of water develops notes of black fruits, especially prunes. A hint of smoke is also felt.

Taste: The flavors are dense, soft, supple and well integrated. Notes of chocolate, ripe orange, nuts, fruit cake, with a good dose of sweet spices (cinnamon, four spices) for length.
Adding a dash of water brings out very peppery notes with a discreet but present peat.

Finale: A touch peppery on old wood and cocoa.
2013

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Light caramel color

Nose: The nose is marked by very strong dark chocolate. It is a very nice sherry. Alcohol is very present and gives a sweet feeling. This sensation fades after 30 minutes of ventilation.

Palate: The palate is powerful too. Alcohol gives a dryer impression. The marriage of whisky with sherry is splendid. It evolves by strata: roasting and Van Houten cocoa and creme brulee and finally caramel.

Finish: The finish has a nice chew. A good bitterness gives relief. then we evolve a sense of Malabar. It ends with a nice power and good length.

My favorite of the session.
2013

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Nose: bright, slightly spicy, distinctive sherry (dry fruit, balsamic vinegar ...) but with a malty structure (a relatively young whisky?). Indolent although slightly rounded. Notes of varnish that could suggest a Japanese!
Mouth: sweet and sharp. Probably a cask strength, in any case, presence of alcohol. Development in line with the nose (dry fruit), and better (not the acidity of vinegar). Good enough even if ultimately elusive.
final: on quality bitterness (herb).
Conclusion Nothing exceptional in my opinion, but probably a good sherry whisky , with an interesting character. Worth tasting..
2012

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Color: sustained gold

Nose: Aromas of dried apricots, light wood and alcohol. Relatively dry, fragrances are set back and the alcohol tip is hazardous for the nose. Adding water revealsmore vegetable and spicy notes , almost licorice.

Palate: Without water, the attack is very oily and enveloping, but the wave of alcohol is too strong. With time, many good things emerge, wood, spices, slightly astringent with round grains notes. But alcohol is too present, breaking the spell. The water is highly beneficial revealing a light but rather complex whisky. The attack loses its bite, but developed a long and greedy gingerbread?

Final: long, soft and enveloping.

Not necessarily immediately available, the alcohol level can be a barrier to taste. However, it agrees well a hint of water reveals its complexity. Nothing flashy, everything is subtle and smooth. To enjoy and appreciate the length.
2013

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Amber color.
Powerful nose. It is about sherry, precious woods, some dried fruit. Cocoa, slight hint of orange. Water brings out the fruit.
Powerful palate, dominated by sherry. Woody but no astringency.
Long, pretty intense. Sherry. A little cocoa flavored.
Sherry well controlled but not very original. The barrel has done all the work.

2012

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The nose is marked by a very sherry first phase, before a marine and very fresh mineral development. It is very well built, although it is a bit brutal. There are also wax, paint, pineapple and coffee. The complex, highly heterogeneous, however, is well integrated. With aeration, the balance between the sherry and the minerality is even better. Some oilseeds are emerging, maritime and pepper. Very interesting.
The palate is marked by sherry (caramel, coffee) before turning to more mineral tones and tart. We feel wax and very ripe yellow fruits that offset it all. As the nose, it goes a little in every way, but it's very well done, with a complexity to the appointment. With aeration, there is a beautiful development and farmer's chocolate attack.
The finish, long and rocky, is dominated by sherry (fine chocolate) and minerality. We also have a little smoke and citrus (grapefruit).

In conclusion, a beautiful marriage of sherry and mineral.
2012

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color: amber
nose: old wood, licorice, raisins (lots) nicely balanced
taste: very smooth, chocolate, toffee, cacao and spiciness, the finish is sweet and spicy and very very long...
2013

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Color: sustained amber

Nose: This nose is clearly marked by sherry finish! Dried fruit, vinous side, spices and even coffee.

Palate: Dried fruit including notes of hazelnut, prune, raisin. Sherry side (too) this is much better with a drop of water even if a little bitterness is present (surely woodey side).

Final: Persistent but too classic on sherry and dried fruit, it drinks well with a drop of water, but it lacks complexity for my taste
2013

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Colour: Tawny.

Nose: Tadam! Now we’re talking! Deep and vibrant, with this tantalizing fruity juicy spicy sour mix I enjoy so much and that is to be found in the very best old refill sherry casks. Spectacular and exciting! All sorts of jams sticking at the bottom of the cauldron. Mango chutney. Roasted pineapple. Green banana. Just a pinch of elegant cinnamon. And a very slight grassy note (green tomato?).

Mouth: Oakier now, with quite some tannins and soft spices. Quite rummy actually. Demerara sugar. Less extravagantly fruity and complex than on the nose, but remains fresh considering its age, thanks to its nice sourness.

Finish: Long, lingering, with a nice demerara rum aftertaste.

Comment: An old refill sherry cask (between 35yo and 40yo?). Sweet and sour whisky at its best as far as the nose is concerned. The mouth is slightly on the downslope, if you ask me. Slightly frustrating, but excellent whisky anyway.

2013

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Color: Caramel
Nose: tiramisu (chocolate, coffee and marsala) and de facto in nature greedy, creamy. The balance comes from the contribution that alcohol prevents it from being cloying. With the opening of the dominant coffee and cocoa is needed and there are cherry stones. A very nice nose that manages to be a powerful sherry but worked (at the crossroads of sweet and vinegary.
Palate: Powerful, well lining the entire mouth. Ultra greedy, bitter chocolate (cinnamon coated) just stop the excessive sweet sherry (red fruits). Coffee is a bit in the vise of flavors but we detect a little less glamorous notes of felt. There is also a minty freshness that appears just before the final.
Finale: The bitterness of cherry pits, always with lots of sugar. It also recalls marinated cherries.

Conclusion: This big sherry has a really well balanced and charming nose. The palate is unilateral but maintains that pretty expertise. It lacks a few cons by madness and malleability in the mouth to compete with the heavyweights of the genre. A very nice whisky, however.
2012

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Colour: amber
Nose: lovely rich and sweet oak like in Bourbon whiskey. Vanilla, honey but also fruity notes of mango and bananas. Mint as well. Even some leather in the end. Very complex.
Taste: very punchy! Tropical fruits accompanied with spices like nutmeg, pepper and cinnamon. Tannins, but fortunately not too much.
Finish: long and warm. The sweetness remains.

Comment: this reminds me of very good Tomatin 1976 expressions I had in the past. For me the best whisky of this second WDTS of 2013. Thanks again JM!

2013

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color: light amber
nose: vanilla, caramel and slight saltiness with toffee (butterscotch)
taste: full flavour of yellow and dark fruits together with vanilla and caramel, the finish is quite powerful with taste of slightly charred oak and coffee, a full dram with a long finish including a little pepper
2012

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Colour: old gold
Nose of candied fruit (quince, pineapple) and polished wood, fall notes and vinous, sherry, old pharmacy side with notes of camphor and herbs that provide fresh vivacity. Nice
Palate: Beautiful complex development, first on fruit (jams autumn) and woody, with a slightly exotic side when in the mouth, then the development is done on a little greasy, oily side then on dried fruit with almonds, raisins and dates, hints of cocoa and mint, good length, very nice
2013

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Color: Copper
Nose: Roasted fruits (pineapple) , orange peel, mandarine
Mouth: Juicy, Orange Liquor, sherry,
Finish: Long

2013

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Colour: Pale Amber
Nose: Rich and expressive, both vinous and particularly floral, it reminds me of flowers that would have let macerate in alcohol. Failing to charm me, this nose surprises me and intrigues me. Aeration reveals gourmand notes of walnut tart. Water reinforces the greedy character (nuts) and acidic (Mandarin) sherry, which is confirmed at the second tasting, where malt was less and floral revealed slight sulfur notes.
Palate: The floral character is lighter here, unlike alcohol, whose power is being felt. Texture, fat, is very pleasant, but it'll require a little water. Water brings out nice and tangy spices.
Finish: Long, slightly tart and sweet, like candy, but also peppery.

Conclusion: A surprising whisky , interesting, but not to my taste.
2012

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Colour: amber
Nosing: big, sherry, oaky, some sulphur
Tasting: strong (definitly cask strength), immense flavour developments, raisiny, very spicy, gingery
Finish: very long, with lots of sherry, becoming sweetish and perfumy

A nice heavy weight sherry monster. Although a little too spicy for me
2012

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Color: Amber

Nose: You enter on the ground floor in the area of the old aristocratic malts. Polished precious wood , red fruits (strawberry jam, black cherry), orange confit, balsamic vinegar. Aeration reveals notes of nuts and coffee and more animal fragrances (old leather?). Everything here reminds a venerable high Speyside in sherry.

Taste: Yum, this is good! The attack is fresh and powerful. The mid palate grows on gourmet flavors, strawberry jam, milk chocolate, candied orange, all framed by a masculine woody but not overwhelming.

Finish: Long, both greedy and tannic, it shows as default a very slight astringency.

Conclusion: A great malt.
2013

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Color: Amber, old gold.
Nose: first nose immediate and clear, with hints of tangy fruit and slightly sour, fruit vinegar (raspberry?). Pastry, sponge cake. Lively but not too, a hint of alcohol? Finally evolves on notes of alcohol fruit, like cherries in brandy.
The water effect is perhaps a little lost in power and vivacity but this is largely compensated by an expressiveness that is both more obvious and more harmonious and balanced. More melted also.
Mouth: creamy, but alcohol occurs very quickly, but without becoming aggressive. Alcohol fruit (cherry, raspberry). Slightly astringent.
The water does not fundamentally change the mouth but softens it, while revealing some nice fruity notes.
Final: In the line of the mouth, warm, but the power decrease quite quickly although the length is respectable.
The water calms significantly the final, but without upsetting the profile.
2012

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Color: Amber
Nose: First lovely vinous notes, on the rancio, port, mold cellar and fino.
Then there are figs, dates, chocolate, a little honey and spices.
Mouth: The cask marked this whisky, we have a slight astringency.
Begins with flavors of nuts, bitter chocolate, spices and concludes with some fruity notes.
Final lis rather long on a mixture of sweet and tart.
2012

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Color: Amber
Nose: Quite interesting and rather complex, with mushrooms, smoked tea, herbs, menthol, hazelnut.
Taste: Powerful and structured, but less complex than the nose. First of Granny, and the cherry pit and finally an avalanche of spices (pepper, clove).
Finish: Quite long and very peppery.
Overall impression: A curious and elusive whisky that appeals to me but I do not appreciate. Reminds me of a malt as Glenrothes
2012

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appearance: light amber
nose: medium intensity, well integrated alcohol, solvents (wood varnish) dominates at the beginning, becomes much less present after 20 minutes of breathing, cow stable, dryness like Amontillado sherry, a little almond paste (marzipan) sweetness
taste: medium to high intensity, alcohol present but acceptable, taste very oriented towards Amontillado sherry flavors and some solvents
finish: medium
With water: more marzipan on the nose, the alcohol is better mastered in the taste and the whisky is more complex (much more stable flavors present), I prefer with a few drops of water
Conclusion: A whisky that is much influenced by the barrel without being killed by the barrel. For me it is a sign that this whisky was bottled at optimum maturity
2012

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Colour: Red copper – slightly cloudy
Nose: Takes a little time to open up. Slightly hot. We’re probably not that far away from 60% (57%?). After a while, starts unfolding and at the same time, gets rid of all unnecessary grease, thus becoming a tad archetypal. Remains lots of dry fruits (roasted almonds galore), pralines, and strawberry jam sticking at the bottom of the pot.
Mouth: Hot, velvety, coating. The alcohol speaks loud, but doesn’t burn the palate. Tastes good, but a bit monolithic yet. And slightly drying at the end. The cask (Sherry, probably) was very active and time didn’t succeed in polishing the edges. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that this one isn’t out of his teens.
Finish: Long, marked by the ZAN liquorice.
Comment: If you’re seeking for a slightly pushy sherry whisky that wraps up your palate, this could be the one. Assuming it’s fairly priced. But one can fancy more delicate malts…
2012

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Color: Light Mahogany
Nose: The nose is greedy. Presence of dried fruits, cold tobacco, some rancio. Alcohol is present but fairly blends well in flavorings.
Mouth: Dry fruits, spices. It's hot, it's well done. Alcohol is still present but always as well integrated.
Final: Long, sweet, hot. The alcohol still there but not at all disturbing.

A fairly complex Whisky.
2012

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Nose: Orange and orange zest, citrus, orange liqueur (you'll understand that it is orange in all its forms), appearance of exotic fruits after a while.
Taste: Lemon, citrus, nuts after aeration.
Final: Lemon, lemongrass. As for the mouth, appearance of nuts after aeration.

Comments: Nice balance between the lemony side and some sweetness.
2012

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The nose is at first woody with notes of pineapple, apricot and dried mint. It develops a nice fruity. With aeration, a creamy side comes first, with prune and ti'punch (rum, lemon, sugar cane) in good order. Quite complex and pleasant. It becomes more delicate, more aerial with the time. Palate is crisp and woody with raspberry and licorice. A slight bitterness is offset by the cream. Then we change registry: caramel, spice and iodine, sea salt The finale begins on these mornings marine notes of bitterness (even licorice, which also expresses his sweet side) and anise. The finish is medium length.
I did not really like this whisky but I find it interesting by combining sweet and salty.
2012

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Nose: strange sensations of shoe polish, leather, glue and solvents. Opens on the baked apple, lemon grass, oak, walnut and almond crushed. Slightly floral (lilacs?). Aeration reveals quite a bit of caramel.
Mouth: powerful. Cognac, lemon & pear. Hot spices (curry). One side chemical (plastic) very transient, then a wooded & hot set to finish on the toasted hazelnut and a touch of smoke.
Final: bitter wood, ashes and a few sweet notes of caramel and candy
Conclusion: Not bad. Lack of complexity. Average nose with 'shoe factory' side, which lowers its note.
2012

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orange color
Nose: chard apple, quince schnapps, candied plums, liquorice, mint, currant,
Mouth: apple chard, powerful, currant, dark chocolate, this woody (too?) Butter, melted caramel and cooked
Finish: long but diffuse, balanced,
2012

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Amber color with green hues (as Amber Rivesaltes)
The nose is marked by white fruit and fresh apple. With aeration the notes of apple turn and go on stewed fruit.
The overall impression is of a certain sweetness but I notice the unpleasant feeling of bitterness (the grilled nem)
The palate is spicy. Alcohol is very present at the opening and then fades and gives way to aromas. Back to the stewed fruit and baked apple. The caramelization happens next.
The whole lacks a little character and density. There was a little watery side.
The finish is marked by the bitterness as found in a overcooked caramel.

In total there is something embarrassing in this whisky. On the one hand the seductive sherry, the other a real shortage of material in the mouth.
2012

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Perfumed nose with a presence of alcohol a little too present. Sherry it is but it's a sherry. straightforward, tough
It will take time for him to express ... Unfortunately, the alcohol takes over everything. It fails to settle down, that's a shame.
Palate is pungent, dry and nervous attack. Woody. Astringent and really powerful. Even too much.
A taste of cold coffee and something bitter that reminds me of that taste especially after chewing, inadvertently, a pip fruit.
This final is very present, spicy and hot.
Aftertaste of coffee without sugar very tight well led. This gives a bitterness that will give a significant length.
Maybe some peanuts ...


Comment Although too powerful. The mask any alcohol. At least I'm sure the 40% required! It's a shame.
2012

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Nose: a beautiful and melted. nose Could mislead about its origins because it reminds me a lot in a Cognac.
There are many fruits (dry and red). Influence of a beautiful sherry. Requires long aeration to prove. Coffee and cocoa. I almost felt like feel of peat and smoke. Maybe a bit of leather too.
Mouth: still concentrated on the sherry and many other flavors!
Finish: long on stewed fruits (figs, prunes).
2012

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appearance: light amber
nose: medium to strong intensity, quite well integrated alcohol, dried fruits (walnuts, almond), leather, candied fruits, marzipan
taste medium to strong intensity, well integrated alcohol, in line with the nose, pepper adds and a little bit of wood juice increases the complexity and balances the sweetness of the candied fruits and the marzipan
finish: medium to long

2013

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Nose: Fresh, vinous and metal. Seems complex and melted (too). More gourmet after aeration (ripe fruit and Granny!). Tip of sherry too. Nuts.
Taste: not bad, but difficult to analyze. At the same time it is still fun, which is essential. Not super complex anyway. Aftertaste with a hint of nuts.
Finish: rather short notes of port / sherry (date for example).
Conclusion: Not bad, but no a favourite for this honorable malt anyway!
It could be a finish ... or at least one of pretty typical sherry cask.
2013

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Nose: Prunes, figs, slightly meaty also. Old wood. With water, caramel appears together with vanilla.
Taste: Wow that is good stuff. In no particular order, chocolate, coffee (lots of coffee), dried meat, earth, nuts, pepper, spices, wood! A little bitter however, but what a power. With water, we find the same flavors but surprisingly it is more unbalanced.
Finish: Very long on bitter dark chocolate.
Conclusion: A very nice super punchy whisky, close to be unbalanced by real present wood and a bitterness.
2013

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Nose: Exotic fruits with mint and eucalyptus. A little marshmallow.

Palate: Hugely fruity and melted. A true fruit basket. Alcohol is present but carries the aromas.

Finale: Short at the beginning, she get longer with some breathing. It is fruity with mint and precious woods.

Comments: Wonderfull whisky with aromas quite difficult to identify. The flavors are very smelted and despite the color, not the slightest trace of sherry.

2013

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Color: light mahogany
A nice spicy nose with great complexity. As we leave it some time, the more nose unfolds and offers its beautiful sensations of light wood, nutty, sherry. The nose isbecomes after a few minutes a real treat.
The first taste is very pleasant, bittersweet mixture of wood and a nice sherry. Plums, chocolate nuts. Very complex and well balanced, the mouth provides a great pleasure.
The finish is very long and very intense. Notes of sherry mixed with a fine woody remain visible after several minutes.
2013

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Nose: At the opening, the roundness is required: Chocolate and chestnuts are running. Its notes yet hide some spices but it is a nose that seems one way, driven by the sherry. Raspberry burst but remains behind. Overall this lacks of beauty but it is enjoyable. When everything fits, the impression persists: disorderly flavors are difficult to distinguish. Notwithstanding we feel shy swell: Raspberry and chestnuts ...

Taste: Very large, it still alternates gourmand notes (chocolate, praline, chestnuts) and less glamorous but soft touches (spices). Adding water breaks its superb (the flavors are bullied) but still retains hints of chocolate with spices (cinnamon). Adding water or not, the mouth has defects (hidden flavors or complete amputation but highlighting survivors).

Finish: The finish is very long and dries slowly to maintain beautiful cake notes on the palate. There is a little nuts aftertaste.

Comment: A simple whisky but smelling nicely like cake at all levels of the tasting. A daily dram that it is better not to swim under penalty of finding too stripped (and inaccurate).
2013

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Color: light amber.
Nose: a little alcohol in the beginning, very closed. It needs water and lots of time. Even after 2-3h in the glass is not very expressive, it would take a few months. Too bad because we feel a real subtlety behind many citrus, orange, mandarin, mint notes too.
Mouth a little more open than in the nose, but it is not there yet. This is very powerful (close to 60%?), Moderately marked by sherry, especially fruity, mandarin orange, peach, hints of eucalyptus (an old Glen Grant?), It is fresh and tangy, it seems quite old.
Finish: very long, on orange, not wood, unabated whisky. A little chocolate in the empty glass.
Difficult to quote it, you must bet on its potential as it is closed at the moment (especially the nose), but I think it will be great with more openness.
2013

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Nose: Warm sweet sherry notes, spicy (spiced gingerbread), pencil shavings, menthol and strong wood tones (resin).

Taste: Punchy, spicy, sweet and some menthol also.

Finish: Long with a warm spicy finish and a little bit of bitterness (wood).

2013

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Colour: Dark Mahogany
A pretty cool nose. First tingling. This is a whisky that needs a little time to open. Spices, pepper, sherry. A very complex and very pleasant nose.
The first impression on the palate is most enjoyable. Then fireworks of flavors. Here is a unusually complex whisky. After a rather classic sherry entry, sudden acid notes appear to progress rapidly to develop on mocha and then becomes quieter and sage. What an amazing whisky.
Very long finish. Marked both by the mocha, sherry and spices, pepper. This whisky leaves an impressive feeling of happiness behind him. It presents so many contrasts, offers so much variety to the palate, that it will certainly not be unanimously apreciated. But for thrill seekers, this whisky is to be etched in the annals.
2012

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“Refill cask? Maybe between 25 to 30 years old? Really interesting dram.”
This dram has a tawny like color.
Nose (91): (5)more than average. honey, wood, spices, corn, dust, spices, cinnamon.
Taste (89): powerful, oily. honey, citrus, wood, spices, apples, pepper.
Finish (88): (5)longer than average. spices, honey, citrus.

2013