The Whistler Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish

So this is The Whistler Oloros Sherry Cask Blend - the official name. Not just "The Whistler". I'd say I have plans to review the rest of their line, but those darn bottles just keep getting killed the second i get them. But if I can find another 7 year CS you better bet your butt, I'm buying a case. OK so this is their NAS (and given they have a 5 year, one must assume this is 3 years old) and it's presented at 43%. Also despite the name, this is a blend of bourbon and sherry...a bit misleading. OK so their marketing is annoying, though their cork has music notes on it which is just freaking cool. Nose - cereal grain, vanilla, hints of sherry, and there are a lot of somewhat "normal" fruit notes as in not influenced by oak, not bitter or soured as we often get on single malts, but just kinda if you're getting apple it's apple (which I am getting a hint of). I get a salty like note here, not sea breeze salt but just I think the oak is giving some salted like nosing marks. Taste - Again I get those grain elements that come with kind of a vanilla ice cream and a bit of minerality. There are also some savory like fruit notes, perhaps in the relm of a coconut but sweeter. I'm getting some icing. I don't get any malt character and to be honest the sherry doesn't do much to show itself as sherry, instead I get a lot of citrus and fruity notes. All and all this is a delightful and extremely inexpensive irish whisky. At about 35 bucks you can blend this, mix it, add coke, or have it neat. I really can't stress how darn good this is for what it is. Now it's got a bit too much alcohol on it for 43%. The mineral note isn't great. The finish isn't special, no transitions. 2 stars which I feel is an extremely generous score for this. I really think if you see this you should give it a shot.

Boann Distillery is responsible for the Whistler expression line. Using their extensive knowledge and willingness to experiment, they have created some great Irish whiskies that all can enjoy. Boann is the name for the Irish goddess of the River Boyne in Leinster, Ireland. Boann Distillery uses 100% of their grain from local sources and is 100% natural. The distillery is a family run distillery owned by Patrick and Marie Cooney. Headed by the 29-year-old Master Distiller Michael Walsh, the youngest in Ireland, Boann Distillery has had a huge impact in the revitalization of the whiskey industry from Ireland. The Whistler Oloroso Cask Finish is comprised of triple distilled malt and grain whiskies. It is matured in ex-bourbon casks than married with ex-oloroso casks. This expression from the Whistler line is non-chill filtered and bottled at 43% ABV. Color: Yellow Gold The nose is quite pungent with aromas of raspberry cobbler, peaches, honeysuckle, sherry, and a slight butterscotch sweetness. The palate is smooth and velvety with notes of ginger, sherry, honey, dried fruits, honey, and some oak tannins. The finish is on the longer side with intensifying spiciness along with notes of honey, leather, and lingering sherry.

The irish whiskey that is having a breakthrough performance lately is "The Whistler". Everything i have had from them is pretty good, even for me, not the fondest fan of Irish whiskies. This one is an Oloroso cask matured version, with a lovely label as most Whistler's labels are. 43% abv is the strength from this dram. On the nose, i get honey, apples, hazelnut, stewed apples and spongy cake. Cupcakes and sawdust. On the palate, it follows the same rythm. Honey, apples. Very enjoyable. Cakey. Aftertaste is grassy and slightly salty. Very light and rewarding. There is some tobacoo notes as well. Overall, a very average dram, which is enjoyable at a fair price. I don't really feel the oloroso profile here, but i can say it is very fruity. My score for it is 81 over 100.

The nose is honey with dried fruits and a bit of sherry and vanilla. The taste is similar to the nose at first, and then there is a spicy evolution with a bit of ethanol flavor. The whiskey is very dry and the minerality is not great. I found success in letting the whiskey open up for 20 minutes before drinking. This whiskey is not very complex because a lot of the interesting tasting notes are dampened, but I paid a fraction of the price because a local place was selling it off. I enjoy the integrity bottling of this Whiskey very much.

Sweet and smooth, I'd love to keep this in my collection. I imagine pairing it with a plate of creamy cheeses and nuts.

Flowery, vanilla, sherry smell. Almond finish, clear sherry taste all through.