Sullivans Cove American Oak Ex Tawny Single Cask TD318 Whisky 70cl

Unlike Sullivan Cove’s American Oak Single Cask, which is aged in ex-bourbon barrels, this single cask whisky is matured in American oak casks previously used to mature Australian tawny port-style fortified wine. The result is a flavour profile combining aspects of both French and American oak styles, with the caramel, vanilla and bright woodiness of American oak combining with the rich dried fruit and molasses character of fortified wine.

Nose: Chocolate mudcake, and lots of cocoa. The cocoa develops into a briney note, very typical Sullivans Cove ocean vibes. Dusty dates, peach liqueur, and burnt fig ice cream.  Milk bottles, cola. Touch of the humidor (moist, earthy tobacco with a touch of sweetness) and moist vanilla bean. Very gentle and balanced.

Palate: Soft, gentle and thick texture. Chocolate cake, raspberry jam and fluffy clouds of marshmallow. Coconut, pine-lime, tapioca pudding and whispers of an earthy/coffee/cigar character. Rounds back to deep prunes, and very dark runny honey, and then into grenadine territory.

Finish: M&M's! Lots of chocolate and confection sugar. Peanut brittle, sticky date pudding and a deep pruney note.  Then there's a break in the dark and deep, into a brighter field of actual lemonade (made with actual lemons by an actual Nonna). Whispers of the earthy/coffee/cigar element come around, as with the palate. The briney note reappears in the sunset.