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Darkness Single Malt Whiskies: Sherry treats

By Miguel in Tasting , Ardbeg , The Macallan , Master of Malt , Clynelish , Benrinnes

Welcome to the Darkness… Darkness is a range of single malt whiskies finished, and some of them aged, in sherry casks to give them that characteristic dark color that is a promise of spices, christmas aromas, cocoa and nuts.

Maverick Drinks send me five samples of their initial batch, an Ardbeg 21 years old finished in PX between them. I were going to explain you about how it was done and what was the finish process and what it does mean to whisky… but I am so anxious to taste them that I don’t really want to lose any more time on small talk.

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So the whiskies…

Benrinnes 15 years old Oloroso Cask Finish

“Quite good and for the first time since I started drinking whisky, I prefer the PX finished to the Oloroso finished. Anyway, this whisky can be near an A'bunadh and not being ashamed at all.”

90
Darkness! Benrinnes 15 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish

This dram has a tawny-like color.

Nose (91): more than average. nuts, citrus, spices, honey, vanilla, cinnamon. Fantastic oloroso aromas.

Palate (90): powerful, oily. nuts, honey, citrus, wood, leather, spices.

Finish (90): longer than average. nuts, wood, citrus.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Darkness! Benrinnes 15 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish with 90 points over 100.

Benrinnes 15 years old Pedro Ximenez Cask Finish

“I love it.... mainly because it tastes so little like the typical PX finished whisky. Just the perfect amount of raisins and cocoa aromas on a great whisky”

91
Darkness! Benrinnes 15 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish

This dram has a mahogany-like color.

Nose (91): strong. nuts, citrus, honey, spices, cinnamon, vanilla, chocolate.

Palate (91): powerful, oily. nuts, honey, citrus, spices, wood, cocoa, raisins.

Finish (91): longer than average. nuts, raisins, citrus.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Darkness! Benrinnes 15 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish with 91 points over 100.

Macallan 15 years old Pedro Ximenez Cask Finish

“It is a great cask strength Macallan but it is a bit weak on the sherry ( if you were hoping for a sherry monster )”

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Darkness! Macallan 15 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish

This dram has a amber-like color.

Nose (90): more than average. honey, citrus, vanilla, tobacco leaves, raisins.

Palate (90): powerful, oily. honey, citrus, wood, tobacco leaves, spices, raisins, cinnamon.

Finish (90): longer than average. honey, citrus, spices.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Darkness! Macallan 15 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish with 90 points over 100.

Clynelish 16 years old Oloroso Cask Finish

“Imagine a 18 years old sherry cask Macallan bottled at cask strength... well... that's pretty close to what this whisky is! I want one bottle badly”

92
Darkness! Clynelish 16 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish

This dram has a tawny-like color.

Nose (91): more than average. honey, citrus, varnish, leather, nuts, plums, flowers. Cracking whisky! Like a good old Macallan but at cask strength.

Palate (92): powerful, oily. honey, citrus, flowers, vanilla, spices, leather, cocoa, tobacco.

Finish (92): longer than average. tobacco, honey, spices.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Darkness! Clynelish 16 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish with 92 points over 100.

Ardbeg 21 years old Pedro Ximenez Cask Finish

“Epic! The nose of this whisky is really out of this world, talking you of begone eras. The only downside of this whisky is the bottling strength... just 40.1% but still I got one if I could afford”

91
Darkness! Ardbeg 21 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish

This dram has a amber-like color.

Nose (93): more than average. peat, flowers, earth, honey, espresso, nuts, cinnamon, salt. Awesome!

Palate (90): smooth, oily. peat, citrus, honey, earth, nuts, coffee, cocoa.

Finish (90): longer than average. honey, peat, espresso.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Darkness! Ardbeg 21 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish with 91 points over 100.

Miguel says

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There are three whiskies that are fantastic here: The Benrinnes finished in PX casks, the Clynelish ( Oh! My! God! ) and the Ardbeg 21 years old. This Ardbeg has a nose that it is a marvel on itself. The only downside is that the taste is a big weak after four cask strength whiskies and this one is bottle at 40.1% ( a bit less and you have to make Gin with it :P )

Fantastic new whiskies, and as always with Maverick Drinks I really love the idea ( and the whiskies! )



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