Aberlour Casg Annamh (Batch 6)

Golden apples, French oak spice & astringency, deep olorosso Sherry on the nose, soft mineral brine, mandarin orange, sweet barley nuttiness, cinnamon bark, spruce, Meyer lemon, nutmeg, creme brulee, black & red peppercorns. More French oak than American, though the creme brulee from the American oak stood out. Hard to tell if the American was second fill, French oak spice/astringency is dominant as it usually is. Higher ABV gives this a bump, though it definitely shows the no-age-statement.

Nutty, marzipan, ripe apples. Some excellent flavors in here, marred by the youthful spirit. Calms down a bit with water, but loses some of the thick mouthfeel, and dulls the nutty flavors, but brings out an herbal character. Good, but not great.

Tastes of apple,cherries, orange and cinnamon with ginger. Smells wonderful and is smooth on the palate.