Angel’s Nectar Islay Rioja Cask

Posted 30 November 2021 by Matt / In Undisclosed Islay
The Dramble reviews Angel’s Nectar Islay Rioja Cask

Bottle Name: Angel’s Nectar Islay Rioja Cask

ABV: 46%
Distillery: Undisclosed Islay
Bottler: Highfern
Region: Islay Age: 7
Glass Weight: 527g

It’s wine cask time, with this fear inducing edition hailing from Angel’s Nectar and expanding their Islay Cask range to include Rioja matured expression. 7 years of age and bottled at 46% ABV – you’ll find these at The Whisky Exchange for £49.95.

Nose: Blackberry sponge, redcurrant foot and raspberry mille-feuille think with golden puff pastry and vanilla cream. Alongside a medicinal peat influence – swirling throughout, but never fully taking the limelight – and composed of antiseptic cream, surface cleaner and burnt hot chocolate. Dilution expresses an earthy side with wet soils and fallen leaves – and some barnyard funk with damp hay lofts and animal sties.

Taste: Opening with a highly green vinous quality of both ripe and underripe raspberries alongside notes of greenhouse and hedgerow berries. Eaton mess creaminess is most welcome together with a glug of sunflower oil. All is served atop a buttery biscuit (base) whilst medicinal peat lurks alongside brine. Reduction presents blackcurrant cordial together with bandages and tinctures – it’s more overly ‘wine’ and it’s more overly peated.

Finish: Medium to long in length and typifying sweet vs peat.

I really need to stop pre-emptively dreading wine cask whiskies – the industry has come along leaps and bound since the time when 50%+ of them were utter rubbish. This Angel’s Nectar Islay Rioja Cask edition has a lot going for it, offering an excellent balance of spirit and peat influences alongside red and ‘green’ wine qualities that are both supportive as well as thought-provoking. Works for me.

Review sample provided by Highfern

Score: 85/100


Master of Malt
Thank you for adding your link. We will review your link within 48 hours.

Distilleries

Bottlers

Scotland (1221)
Aberfeldy (9)
Aberlour (14)
Ailsa Bay (3)
Ardbeg (19)
Ardmore (22)
Arran (29)
Auchroisk (10)
Aultmore (10)
Balblair (17)
Balmenach (7)
Balvenie (11)
Ben Nevis (11)
Benriach (11)
Benrinnes (15)
Benromach (9)
Bladnoch (5)
Bowmore (20)
Braeval (7)
Cambus (4)
Caol Ila (49)
Cardhu (1)
Clynelish (22)
Daftmill (4)
Dailuaine (11)
Dalmore (17)
Dalmunach (2)
Deanston (7)
Dufftown (4)
Dumbarton (2)
Edenmill (1)
Edradour (19)
Girvan (3)
Glen Grant (17)
Glen Moray (26)
Glen Ord (4)
Glen Spey (8)
Glengoyne (14)
Glengyle (6)
Glenlivet (16)
Glenlossie (12)
Glenrothes (14)
Glenturret (10)
Hazelburn (2)
Imperial (5)
Inchgower (2)
Kilchoman (9)
Knockando (1)
Knockdhu (7)
Lagavulin (3)
Laphroaig (32)
Linkwood (14)
Lochnagar (1)
Longmorn (13)
Longrow (4)
Macallan (12)
Macduff (7)
Mortlach (12)
Oban (3)
Scapa (1)
Speyburn (9)
Speyside (1)
Springbank (15)
Talisker (8)
Tamdhu (4)
Teaninich (6)
Tobermory (38)
Tomatin (13)
Tomintoul (6)
Tormore (8)
Wolfburn (3)
Canada (3)
Europe (42)
Cotswolds (3)
Langatun (6)
Locher (1)
Mackmyra (15)
Penderyn (3)
Smogen (4)
Zuidam (1)
Ireland (65)
Bushmills (8)
Dingle (1)
Midleton (33)
Teeling (6)
Tullamore (1)
Japan (42)
Chichibu (14)
Chita (1)
Eigashima (1)
Hakushu (2)
Yamazaki (2)
Yoichi (2)
Rest of the World (10)
Dunedin (1)
Indri (1)
Starward (1)
Taiwan (8)
King Car (6)
Nantou (2)
USA (41)
Balcones (1)
Bernheim (2)
Jim Beam (1)
Lux Row (4)