Google The Olympic Sessions, Day 16, cask-driven juices from Israel, Taiwan and America
 
 

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August 15, 2024
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The Olympic Sessions, Day 16, cask-driven juices from Israel, Taiwan and America

Once again, we begin in France, and once again, it will be with a whisky from another country, finished in cognac casks... It seems that finishing in cognac is also gaining popularity in the world of cask-driven whiskies...

 Blinking Owl
The grand organ of the Blinking Owl distillery (Blinking Owl)

 

  

Milk & Honey 2019/2023 ‘Apex Cognac Cask’ (58.6%, OB, Israel, batch #22, 3,427 bottles)

Milk & Honey 2019/2023 ‘Apex Cognac Cask’ (58.6%, OB, Israel, batch #22, 3,427 bottles) Three stars and a half
It is fully matured in cognac casks, not merely finished, though it is indeed a young malt whisky. Colour: light gold. Nose: rather gentle and soft, with touches of muscovado sugar and preserved peaches, alongside a hint of elderflower liqueur (St. Germain), triple-sec, and kougelhopf. A few raisins too, though they’re not overly prominent. With water: more on fresh bread, think baguette, naturally. Also, perhaps, a couple of small, fresh mint leaves. Mouth (neat): quite good, leaning towards cakey, with a slight heat that’s to be expected at this strength. Plenty of pepper and turmeric, but let’s see how that develops with a splash of water. With water: there’s a fairly pronounced, spicy French oak influence, but it remains well within control. It seems to be Limousin oak (not that I could tell from the glass, it’s written on the label, ha). Finish: long, spicy, and relatively woody, yet balanced. Saffron, pepper, cinnamon, and a touch of masala. Comments: there’s a tea and herbal infusion-like quality from the wood, but it’s certainly well-crafted. Peace.
SGP:361 - 83 points.

Milk & Honey 2018/2022 ‘Apex Dead Sea’ (55.5%, OB, Israel, batch #19, 5,566 bottles)

Milk & Honey 2018/2022 ‘Apex Dead Sea’ (55.5%, OB, Israel, batch #19, 5,566 bottles) Four stars
This one was aged in bourbon, STR, and red wine casks at the Dead Sea, over 400m below sea level. Quite a departure from that Highland Park we tried some years ago, which had been partly matured on the Matterhorn – back when such things were still legal. Colour: gold. Nose: I can’t say if you can really feel the 50°C and the 25% annual angel's share, but I do enjoy these blackcurrant buds, peonies, fudge, and even raspberry shortbread. With water: more of those buds and a touch of resinous wood. Spruce, perhaps? Then earth, bread, and barley gradually lead us towards the proper malt. Mouth (neat): quite amusing, both spicy and fruity, with a medley of pink peppers from various origins, bitter orange, and again, turmeric. With water: blood oranges, cranberries, and once again, pink pepper. Finish: long, slightly earthy, with a hint of fruity tomatoes and orange peel. Comments: I really like this rather unusual combination. It’s less cask-driven than usual, which is actually quite surprising given the pedigree of this very lovely little number. Peace.
SGP:461 - 85 points.

Oh, since this is Assumption Day and even though we are secular at WF…

Holy Distillery 2017/2020 ‘Amazing Grace’ (54.1%, OB, Taiwan, rice whisky, cask #36, 220 bottles)

 Holy Distillery 2017/2020 ‘Amazing Grace’ (54.1%, OB, Taiwan, rice whisky, cask #36, 220 bottles) Three stars
This intriguing grain whisky was matured in an umeshu-treated rechar bourbon cask. Colour: deep gold. Nose: improbable yet beguiling, with a fermentary edge and those plums likely hailing from the umeshu, followed by heaps of blonde fudge. There’s a subtle hint of miso as well, giving it a somewhat ‘Asian’ vibe, whatever that means. With water: not much change, perhaps just a touch of natural rubber. Mouth (neat): very singular! Loads of prunes, a clear umami character, chocolate, miso, pepper… With water: miso soup with honey, prunes, and chocolate. Well, something along those lines. Finish: fairly long, with plenty of chocolate, black pepper, and a rather curious old Armagnac note (think very rustic Ténarèze). Comments: of course, rice is a grain! A lot of fun in this quite… confessional holy whisky from Taiwan. Peace.
SGP:551 - 82 points.

So, we were talking about Taiwan…

Kavalan 2017/2022 (54%, OB for Europe, Taiwan, oloroso, cask #S170515015D, 217 bottles)

Kavalan 2017/2022 (54%, OB for Europe, Taiwan, oloroso, cask #S170515015D, 217 bottles) Four stars
Only 217 bottles for the whole of Europe? I reckon San Marino alone could snap up the lot. Monaco would take double! Colour: dark gold. Nose: classic Oloroso, bursting with chocolate and walnut cake. Then a hint of compost, mustard, cigars, prunes again, and currants... With water: no change, just the same. Mouth (neat): very good, naturally. Let’s not forget that Kavalan kind of cracked the philosopher’s stone, thanks to Dr Swan. Pepper, tobacco, mustard, nuts, prunes in Armagnac. With water: a touch of clove and cardamom. A very, very faint meaty note (beef jerky). Finish: long, with even more chocolate. Comments: nothing to fault, it does the job perfectly. Peace, and long live Europe! (since it’s a European bottling).
SGP:551 - 87 points.

Let's return to the mothership, America...

Blinking Owl 5 yo (63.3%, American Single Cask, USA, single malt, cask #0002, 2024) Five stars
Straight from Santa Ana, Orange County, California, well east of Long Beach. I must say, I’m rather fond of these label designs too—no need to slap a Canaletto on every label. It’s got style! Colour: amber. Nose: top class. Reminds me of those early Sonoma or Westland bottlings, which made quite an impression. Chocolate, honey, gingerbread, and figs, I believe. And, well, 63.3%. So… With water: sublime notes of a cabinetmaker’s workshop, precious woods, varnish, old leather, juniper, and coriander… I think it’s brilliant. Mouth (neat): but how good is this? Blood oranges, pink pepper, eucalyptus notes, hints of lychee, linden tea, and thyme… Bingo! With water: where will this end? There’s my favourite chestnut honey! Nothing can beat that. Finish: long, with plenty of small herbs and leaves, including some tobacco. Comments: note to self, remember to book the next flight from Paris to L.A., not only to witness the Olympic transition between the two great cities. Peace.
SGP:561 - 90 points.

To conclude, perhaps another American offering by the independents of ‘American Single Cask’, which we have just discovered. It's true that one must cross the Atlantic and more besides...

Santa Fe Spirits 6 yo 'Mesquite Smoked' (65%, American Single Cask, USA, single malt, cask #0006, 2023)

 Santa Fe Spirits 6 yo 'Mesquite Smoked' (65%, American Single Cask, USA, single malt, cask #0006, 2023) Four stars
 Santa Fe, baby! New Mexico! Mesquite is close to acacia, apparently. Good fun, I’m sure, nonetheless. Colour: full amber. Nose: holy featherless crow, here’s a whisky with real personality, and what’s more, it doesn’t seem to rely solely on the usual casks everyone’s using these days (PX, STR, you name it). The smoky side is superb, slightly acrid, with hints of cumin and pine. There’s also a note of vegetable purée and sesame cream (Lebanese hummus, small world indeed), but once again, watch out, 65%! (Alas, our lawyer is still on the golf course, so I’ll need to find another one). With water: raw chocolate, mint, and pine needles. Mouth (neat): it’s even more extreme than the Blinking Owl, tannic, ultra-spicy, perhaps a tad excessive. Let’s see… With water: ah, there we go, it’s been tamed, now we’re hitting a valley of chocolatey barley, oranges, spiced honey, cinnamon ice cream, and cloves… Perfect. Finish: long, honeyed, and spicy. Pine smoke. Comments: absolutely superb, though the incredible Blinking Owl does cast a slight shadow. These Americans are truly annoying with their great whiskies, especially those from the West. Joking aside, we’ve spent some of the best moments of our lives in the American West and there, it gave us a little reminder…
SGP:662 - 87 points.

It has often been considered that the use of very active third-party casks, whether for finishing or not, on very young whiskies or not, was inevitably a sign of failure regarding the quality and, above all, the distinctiveness of the distillate itself. However, we must acknowledge that this is not necessarily the case, which is, of course, good news.

 

Current Medal Standing
After Day 16

 

92 - Gold
 
  • TTO Trinidad Distillers Limited 14 yo 2009/2024 'Edition N°1' (62.9%, The Colours of Rum, Up Spirits Club, bourbon cask, cask #106, 259 bottles)
91 - Gold
 
  • JPN Chichibu 8 yo 2014/2024 (56.4%, Adelphi, Japan, cask #3822, 215 bottles)
  • JPN Shizuoka 2019/2023 (65.2%, Asta Morris, Japan, peated, pot still K, bourbon barrel, cask #1222, 302 bottles)
  • JPN Shizuoka ‘United S - Summer Edition 2023’ (50.5%, OB, Japan, first-fill bourbon)
  • JPN Yamazaki 18 yo ’Suntory 100th Anniversary’ (48%, OB, Japan, Mizunara, 2023)
  • GUI Uitvlugt 31 yo 1990/2022 (56.2%, Silver Seal, Guyana)
  • FIJ South Pacific Distillery 11 yo 2012/2023 (57.5%, The Whisky Jury, Fiji, refill barrel, cask #12, 292 bottles)
90 - Silver
 
  • USA Blinking Owl 5 yo (63.3%, American Single Cask, USA, single malt, cask #0002, 2024)
  • JPN Hakushu 18 yo ‘Suntory 100th Anniversary’ (48%, OB, Japan, 2023)
  • NED Millstone 26 yo 1996/2022 (47.7%, OB for The Whisky Exchange, Netherlands, American oak, cask #1372, 264 bottles)
  • JPN Shizuoka 2018/2024 (46.6%, OB, Sushi + Soul Munich, Japan, KS+WS, bourbon, cask #939)
  • TTO Caroni 25-year-old 1998/2023 (60.1%, Impressions by The Colours of Rum, Trinidad, cask #8, 120 bottles)
  • TTO Caroni 25 yo 1999/2024 (57.2%, Jean Boyer, Rum Bullion, Trinidad, cask #198)
  • TTO Caroni 24 yo 1998/2023 ‘Mars’ (61.1%, Jack Tar, Cosmic Series, cask #2185, 195 bottles)
  • LCA Chairman’s Reserve 15 yo 2005/2022 (61.5%, OB, St. Lucia, GotA & RumX, bourbon, cask #06012000, 232 bottles)
  • CUB Cuban Rum 50 yo 1973/2024 (52%, Spheric Spirits, cask #2314302, 258 bottles)
  • BAR Foursquare 20 yo 2002/2023 (49%, The Colours of Rhum, Barbados, N°19, cask #4, 208 bottles)
89 - Silver
 
  • FRA Alfred Giraud ‘Une Odyssée’ (52.9%, OB, France, Collection Singulière, cognac cask, 459 bottles)
  • GBR Bimber ‘Stratford’ (58.5%, OB, England, The Spirit of the Underground, Fino cask, cask #267/16, 325 bottles, 2024)
  • KOR Kimshangsoo Single Cask (52.1%, OB, Korea, Artist Edition, 1st fill European oloroso hogshead, 312 bottles, 2023)
  • AIN Caribbean Rum 30 yo 1993/2024 (60.5%, eSpirit, Liquid Treasures, 15th anniversary, barrel, 282 bottles)
88 - Bronze
 
  • GBR Bimber ‘Wimbledon’ (56.6%, OB, England, The Spirit of the Underground, Vino de Naranja cask, cask #310/5, 298 bottles, 2024)
  • JPN Chichibu 2017/2023 (65%, OB for ePower, 1st fill bourbon barrel, cask #8279, 176 bottles)
  • USA Copperworks 3 yo 2018/2022 (56.8%, Whisky-Facile, USA, Black Cat Series, virgin oak, cask #287, 239 bottles)
  • ITA Exmu ‘Spirit of Sardinia’ (45.5%, OB, Italy, bourbon, +/-2024)
  • JPN Kanosuke 2019/2023 (61%, OB, for ePower, Japan, oloroso sherry, cask #19421, 281 bottles)
  • TPE Kavalan 9 yo 2014/2024 ‘9 years + 363 Days’ (60.2%, Tiffany’s New York Bar Hong Kong, Taiwan, Port cask, cask #O140311068A, 147 bottles)
  • JPN Mars Tsunuki 6 yo 2017/2024 ‘Yakushima Aging’ (58%, OB, Japan, for Tiffany’s New York Bar and AF Trade, sherry hogshead, cask #2094, 252 bottles)
  • GBR Penderyn 13 yo 2010/2023 (59.5%, OB, Wales, LMDW New Vibrations, second fill bourbon, cask #313/2010)
  • JPN Shizuoka ‘Pot Still W Japanese barley First Edition’ (55.5%, OB, Japan, Japan exclusive, 2,500 bottles, 2023)
  • JPN Yoichi 10 yo (45%, OB, Japan, Edition 2022)
  • GUY Diamond 20 yo 2003/2024 'SVL' (51.6%, The Roots, Guyana, bourbon cask, cask #23, 174 bottles)
  • CVD Sodade 'Cana Rocca Ouro Blanco' (43.1%, OB, Cape Verde, grogue, +/-2023)
87 - Bronze
 
  • FRA Alfred Giraud ‘Intrigue #2’ (51.5%, OB, France, +/-2024)
  • GBR Bimber ‘Germany Edition 2023’ (59.2%, OB, Kirsch Import, sherry, cask #456, 280 bottles)
  • GBR Bimber 2018/2023 (58.9%, OB, England, LMDW, cognac cask finish, cask #327/05)
  • GBR Filey Bay 2016/2021 (63.1%, OB, England, oloroso sherry hogshead, cask #146, 271 bottles)
  • NED Kalkwijck 2019/2023 ‘Higgledy Piggledy Rye’ (44%, OB, The Netherlands, American oak, 480 bottles, +/-2023)
  • TPE Kavalan 2014/2024 (61%, OB for Malt, Grain & Cane, Port, cask #O140201019A, 186 bottles)
  • TPE Kavalan 2017/2022 (54%, OB for Europe, Taiwan, oloroso, cask #S170515015D, 217 bottles)
  • FIN Kyrö 'Malt Rye' (47.2%, OB, Finland, +/-2023)
  • NED Millstone 2019/2024 (57.3%, OB for The Whisky Jury, refill PX hogshead, cask #2547, 319 bottles)
  • USA Santa Fe Spirits 6 yo 'Mesquite Smoked' (65%, American Single Cask, USA, single malt, cask #0006, 2023)
  • ESP Sherishor 12 yo (45%, OB, Spain, ‘pure malt whisky’, +/-2024)
  • GER St. Kilian 2019/2024 ‘Unpeated’ (59.4%, OB, Germany, single cask, ex Four Roses bourbon barrel)
  • GER The Westfalian ‘Masterpiece Peated’ (64.1%, OB, Germany, ex-Macallan sherry hogshead, cask #TW74, 238 bottles)
  • GER The Westfalian 2012/2024 'Single Grain' (62.5%, OB, Germany, ex-Ben Nevis sherry hogshead, cask #TW8, 266 bottles)
  • USA Westward ‘Cask Strength 125 Proof’ (62.5%, OB, USA, +/-2023)
  • USA Wild Turkey ‘Rare Breed’ (58.4%, OB, USA, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, +/-2024)
  • AIN Ron Colon ‘Salvadoreno High Proof’ (55.5%, OB, blend, +/-2022) 
  • TTO Trinidad Distillers Limited 15 yo 2008/2024 (64.4%, Spiritori #1, Trinidad, cask #243, 335 bottles)

 

 

  
   

 

 

 
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