Based on the pink salmon colour, you know this recent release from That Boutique-y Whisky Company had some wine influence. It was sourced from a Secret Distillery in the Highlands region.
A quick look at the label gives us some necessary clues. It features sixteen hybrid swan-men with particularly long necks, some around 26 feet tall. Enough said, right?
Secret distillery 15 yo (51%, That Boutique-y Whisky Company 2016, Batch #2, 50 cl, 124 btl.)
Secret distillery 15 yo (51%, That Boutique-y Whisky Company 2016, Batch #2, 50 cl, 124 btl.)Nose: this must indeed be a red wine cask. Starts a bit musky. Raspberry jam, mint. Poached pears and strawberry sherbet. Hints of cinnamon and cocoa. Blood oranges, sour cherries. Soft blossomy notes, say roses. Fairly light though, it’s not as heavyweight as some other wine casks.
Mouth: syrupy, plums, cranberries. Typical wine cask really, I guess Port wine. Goes on with chocolate and a little pepper (or wine tannins?). Coffee, liquorice, cinnamon. Toasted oak. Always topped with red berries.
Finish: bittersweet and medium long. Wine gums, cinnamon and some milk chocolate.
I often have difficulties with wine casks but for me, this was actually quite pleasant. Better than Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban in any case. Sold out from Master of Malt, it used to be around € 125.
Score: 84/100