The Whistler Single Cask Series - P.X. I Love You

OHLQ pick Sourced from Boann Distillery Barrel No. 230441 Age - 5 years, 9 months Aged in ex-bourbon barrels for 5 years Finished in ex-P.X. sherry hogshead for 9 months 56.17% abv; 112.34 proof Original price $79.99; Sale price $47.99 Open 6 days Nose - Raisins, figs, plums, Honey Nut Cheerios, brown sugar, bright malt, light oak, and medium ethanol. Palate - Holiday fruitcake, mixed berry cobbler, raisin medley, caramel taffy, light brine, honey roasted peanuts, and pipe tobacco. Finish is medium-long with sharp grain and malt, cocoa powder, diet sherry, peanut shells, and medium ethanol. OHLQ picked a bunch of The Whistler cask strength finishes in early 2024, but the only ones that appeal to me at sale price are the P.X. and Oloroso sherry. I've been on an Oloroso finish kick, so thought I'd mix it up. For the sale price, this is a delightful and drinkable Irish whiskey. You can tell it is young from nose to finish, but that doesn't really detract from the experience. Oddly, it has a lot in common with younger MGP high-rye cask strength bourbon. Sweet, grainy notes that come from both the youth of the Irish malt and the limited finishing time in P.X. I know it sounds weird, but for me there's a high floor with 4-6 year old MGP bourbon that seems strikingly similar to what The Whistler is offering with these ~5 year cask strength finishes. So much so that I will likely buy the heavily discounted $42 Oloroso finish next.