This is the 2nd independent bottling of Israeli boutique importer (and friend) Vintage Whisky (I reviewed their first single cask – a Caol Ila a few years ago). This time they opted for a non-standard Cask finish – in Palo Cortado sherry cask.
Palo Cortado is a unique sort of sherry as it is initially aged under flor to become a fino or amontillado, but inexplicably loses its veil of flor and begins aging oxidatively as an oloroso- as such it resembles amontillado on the nose, but Oloroso on the palate… It’s also the most rare of sherries, only a fraction of casks that are used to age sherry will actually contain PC.
Miltonduff 8 yo (Vintage Whisky), 52%, 219 NIS
Nose: Sweet and meaty sherry, with dried fruit, earthy at times, marinated smoked meats, licorice, and raisin-infused chocolate. There’s also a nice herbal side to it, with autumnal leaves, and a hint of mint. Very gentle on the nose even at 52% abv. With some time in the glass, the sweetness subsides to reveal some ripe orange notes.
Palate: The palate is more robust than the nose suggested with a nice mix of blood oranges, leather, dried fruit and tobacco, smoked meat, and bitter earthy notes as well – nice interplay between the dried fruit and the coffee grounds. dry, full of tannins, and quite astringent at times, with lots of bitter coffee and dark chocolate toward the end.
Finish: The finish is long and drying, with bitter notes of double espresso, tobacco, and oak.
Conclusion: Lovely nose, and good complexity on the palate. The finish is quite bitter, and ashy/earthy which is quite surprising, even a bit too bitter on the ending for me. Good VFM if you ask me, a nice little Palo Cortado-aged whisky. The price is right, and the liquid is to match! If you’re a local reader – a very nice option to buy.
still available online from the vintage whisky website.