This is the first release in a new Secret Casks series by Whiskysite.nl. It is an undisclosed Islay single malt distilled in 2009 and bottled at 6 years of age from a refill sherry cask. Not Lagavulin nor Bunnahabhain, I’ve heard.
Islay 6 yo 2009 (58,9%, Whiskysite ‘Secret Casks’ 2016, refill sherry cask #7065, 72 btl.)
Islay 6 yo 2009 (58,9%, Whiskysite ‘Secret Casks’ 2016, refill sherry cask #7065, 72 btl.)An interesting salmon / orange hue. Nose: the cask already had its say in merely 6 years. Creamy fudge, but with prominent coastal notes too. Hints of antiseptics and new sneakers. A white chocolate and caramel combination. Traces of red fruit candy as well.
Mouth: smoky, salty and herbal. Punchier than the nose suggested. Hints of sweet lemon and salted liquorice. Lapsang tea. A nice pepper / mint combination too. Very clean. A couple of sultanas and a bigger sweetness, but besides that not many reminders of actual sherry. Gingerbread in the aftertaste.
Finish: long, still quite salty, nicely smoked with a sweet peppery note.
Good Islay whisky, straightforward but certainly not too young to be bottled indeed. Available from Whiskysite.nl. Around € 85.
Score: 85/100