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