The first Boutique-y Whisky bottling from James Sedgwick Distillery in Wellington, South Africa: Three Ships 6 Years. The distillery was founded in 1886 and produces a variety of single malts, blends and grain whiskies in two pot stills and two column stills (plus others for neutral spirits).
This whisky was matured in American oak casks for about half of its age and the rest in Pedro Ximénez sherry-seasoned casks.
Three Ships 6 yo
(53,7%, That Boutique-y Whisky Co 2019, PX finish, Batch #1, 1150 btl.)
Three Ships 6 yoNose: very bourbonny, with a lot of fresh oak. Resinous notes, sandalwood, mixed with nutmeg and fragrant cinnamon bark. Plenty of new leather. Dark molasses and cooked fruits in the background (plums and soaked cherries), as well as some burnt toast and vanilla.
Mouth: dark bread and charred wood, then a winey touch (red wine rather than PX) and an oaky heat. Dark chocolate, syrupy notes and toffee. Cedar. Herbs and cinnamon too. Walnut cake.
Finish: long, spicy and dry, on clove, eucalyptus and earthy malt.
South-African malt flirting with American bourbon, in a rich and totally oak-boosted style. Interesting but too expensive for what it has to offer, in my opinion. Available from Master of Malt.
Score: 81/100