MrWizard's Ramblings

Komagatake Mars, US edition 2022, 50%
Another Fog City release and another U.S. bottling from Japan’s Mars distillery, this one from 2022 and named Komagatake. It’s super lightly peated at around 3–5 PPM, non-age statement, and aged 3–5 years in a mix of ex-bourbon, sherry, and port casks. It comes across like a less peated version of Tsunuki. I can pick up all the cask types in the nose, nicely rounded by orchard fruits—somewhere between plums and pears—which is a big plus. The palate starts sweet and somewhat woody, carrying over the fruit notes before transitioning smoothly into flavorful, slightly spicy chili pepper tones. The finish lingers with a malty sweetness that mellows out the spice. Overall, I wasn’t initially impressed—seemed like a decent intro to 50% ABV whiskies for those working their way toward cask-strength—but it’s grown on me over time and makes for a pleasant, if not overly complex, pour. Value-wise: I got it as part of Fog City Social event admission, which was fair, but at the $100 MSRP, it feels a bit steep and maybe just below average on value.
Score: B+ (neck pour was B)

Oban 15 Cask Strength Edition, 55.3%
Big thanks to my brother from another mother, Orpheus, for leaving me a sample of this—love you, buddy! Finished in Oloroso and Palo Cortado casks, this is billed as an “exclusive release,” whatever that’s supposed to mean. The nose is fantastic to me—best described as a highly fortified white port or maybe Sauternes: macerated raisins in alcohol, a hint of wood, malt, and vanilla. The palate is sweet, raisiny, nutty, slightly fermented, with those rehydrated raisins again, some wood spice, and prune compote. The aftertaste lingers, mouth-coating and sweet, balanced by prune and raisin notes. While a bit on the sweet side, this is 101% in my wheelhouse—fantastic stuff. Value-wise, ehh… not amazing, but not bad either at 150. Available at Total Wine.
Score: A-

Ardmore 14, Cadenhead, 52.4%
Part of Cadenhead’s Chairman’s Stock Cask Strength Series, this was finished in a Manzanilla sherry cask for three years. The nose is proofy, woody, and strongly salty-smoky without showing the iodine notes often present in peated malt. While it doesn’t quite reach the depth smoky complexity of an old smokehouse, it does evoke fresh smoker grill notes. The palate is salty-sweet as expected, woody and smoky, with the balance leaning toward salted, smoky roasted almonds. The aftertaste continues that roasty-smoky almond trend and lingers for a while. Overall: Usually, finished whiskies aren’t as good as their counterparts, but this one happened to hit that magical mark where excellent cask and spirit come together into something well worth drinking. Yes, I know it’s peated. I’m enjoying it regardless. Value: Pretty darn good at the MSRP of $90.
Score: A-

Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique, Krisshop SP, 59.4%
This is Kavalan Solist (Single Cask) aged in a wine barrel, bottled exclusively for KrisShop in Singapore—more specifically, Singapore Airlines’ exclusive shop. This particular release features a batik design on the box and label, earning it the nickname “Batik Edition.” The nose isn’t particularly winey; instead, it leans toward a sherry bomb profile with lots of dusty spices, very dark wood notes, and toasted sugars. There’s a hint of wine character, but it’s quite subtle. The palate is intense, typical of Kavalan’s maturation style, with strong cask influence—though I suspect this may actually be an STR cask, as the wine-forward character is again minimal. Interestingly, there’s a faint smokiness here, possibly from the STR process. Honestly, it drinks a lot like a somewhat dry port cask. It’s quite possible the cask held some sort of fortified wine—essentially making it a port-not-port cask. The finish brings hot pepper heat, malt sweetness, and dark fruits, with chili spice lingering. Overall: very, very good—a wine/STR/port hybrid profile that’s a pleasure to sip and pairs especially well with a smoky environment. Value: Picked up for $125 via private transaction—an excellent deal considering the MSRP is around $170+ (varies); exclusive to Singapore.
Score: B+

Kavalan Solist Madeira Cask, 59.4%
Another Kavalan Single Cask, this time aged in a Madeira fortified wine cask. Notably, it has a sweeter, nuttier nose compared to the Vinho bottle above. The palate is more balanced overall, though again leaning sweeter and nuttier—less plum influence and more vanilla extract and caramel. The aftertaste carries similar notes, though with less chili spice present. Overall: a sweeter, somewhat nuttier cask compared to the Vinho; it comes across as less spicy but also better balanced, depending on your perspective. Either way, it’s no less delicious. Value: N/A… but Kavalan bottles are typically expensive at retail, so your mileage may vary.
Score: B+

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Scoring Breakdown: https://www.aerin.or … age=scores_breakdown

Some Single Cask bottles from Binny’s and other stuff

Teeling Single Malt, Binny’s SP, Chestnut Cask, 58.7%
This is a NAS, but young, single malt, aged in Chestnut Cask #77557. If you’re not familiar, Teeling Distillery in Dublin was founded in 2015, so any malt distilled prior to that is from the shuttered Cooley distillery. I’m fairly sure that this particular bottle, at this point in time, is original Teeling. The nose reminds me of old furniture and wood chips—syrupy sweet, lightly nutty, yet somewhat yeasty, with an unexpected cinnamon-raisin note. Basically, it smells like the inside of an alcoholic cinnamon-raisin bagel. Palate is… rather hot initially, with more cinnamon and raisin notes, toasted sugars, and a touch of wood. The aftertaste lingers for an incredible length of time (I’ve taken a 20-minute break at one point and could still taste it), with a subtle maltiness and cinnamon sugar. Overall: Interesting and different cask. A reasonably enjoyable malt and not something I would come across every day. FOMO is pleased that I’ve tried it. Value: Highly pleased after picking it up at $50 on clearance.
Score: B-

Compass Box, Artist’s Blend, Binny’s SP, 49%
Did someone say “ex-Linkwood Palo Cortado sherry cask finish”?! Oh yeah, I’m a sucker for single casks like these. The nose is somewhat grainy, as expected of a grain-and-malt blend that Artist’s Blend is… but most thoughts about grain whiskey disappear on the palate. Linkwood in general tends to be a heavy, malty, somewhat spicy distillate, and it really shows here. Lots of fruity and peppery flavors, a malty, velvety palate, and what is essentially a second-fill sherry cask rounding off the flavors with subtle nuttiness and sugar notes. Frankly, blind, this tastes a lot like something from a refill bourbon cask. Overall: Honestly, blends hardly ever get better than this one. It’s immensely drinkable without being overwhelming and carries enough complexity to satisfy almost anyone. Two thumbs up from me… Value: Picked up at $49—well worth it.
Score: B+

Ardnamurchan; Binny’s SP, 58.5%
I have no idea how to read this but here you go: AD/12:16, Cask 1322. A young highland distillery owned by Adelphi. They typically do 50/50 peated/unpeated malt blends in their releases but this particular cask happens to be unpeated first fill spanish oak, ex-PX hogshead. The nose is very dry cherry forward with wood and spices backing up that cherry note. The patate is consistent with the nose and starts quite strong, then immediately settles into earthy cask spices, dry wood and non-smoky touch of wood ash. The aftertaste lingers for a while with more cherries, wood spice and some of that sherry woodiness. Overall: This really rather reminds of me of a dry A’bunadh… or a well-toasted cherry pie that was baked on a campfire, without getting smoke all over it… First time trying this distillery and I’m very impressed. Being a spectacular cask does not hurt. Value: Picked this up at $80 from Binny’s clearance… yet again well worth it.
Score: B+

Glengoyne 16, K&L SP, Old Malt Cask, 58.7%
Aged in refill butt #HL20938. Very oily, with epic runners on the glass—this cask was ready to give and give and give! The nose brings fruitcake in the best way: dark stone fruits and berries take the lead, with a subtle hint of mint in the background. The palate starts mellow and sweet but quickly shifts to a bold mix of spice and fruit. The aftertaste is packed with chili pepper heat and a touch of peppermint. Surprisingly intense for a refill, it feels slightly over-oaked, with a bitterness riding along with the spice. A few drops of water help mellow out the harsh edges, transforming the bitterness into a more pleasant, nutty richness—think near-burnt honey-roasted cashews. Water is definitely recommended. Overall: A unique and layered malt with an unusually spicy character straight from the bottle. Too intense for me to enjoy neat, but with a bit of dilution, it opens up beautifully.
Score: B+ (w/water)

Benrinnes 19, Old Malt Cask, 50%
This was aged in a Canasta (sherry liqueur) cask and bottled for OMC’s 25th anniversary in 2023, complete with the old-style label. For reference, this is another release from the same series as the Linkwood reviewed earlier. The nose is slightly sour, funky, and sweet—classic sherry cream—and at 50% ABV, it’s surprisingly punchy. With time in the glass, it settles into a nicely sweet balance. The palate is mouth-watering, flavorful, and nutty, yet oddly lacking in substance. The cask takes center stage, while the malt plays second fiddle. The aftertaste is medium in length—gentle and sweet, with a note of hot pepper. Overall: An excellent, if sweet, cask that unfortunately overwhelms the delicate spirit. That said, it doesn’t stop me from consuming it in frankly dangerous amounts—it’s crazily drinkable. Think chili cream soda with alcohol. Value: Priced at $120… that’s not exactly cheap for such a light spirit, but fair considering the age—so I’d call it “average-ish” value.
Score: B+

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Scoring Breakdown: https://www.aerin.or … age=scores_breakdown