Andalusia Stryker PX Sherry Cask Finish

Blanco is a charming Texas town with a lovely Christmas lights display in the center. I wouldn't have expected a distillery there, but here we are. This single malt is surprisingly good, though not fully developed. The high proof allows for significant dilution without losing flavor (in fact, it improves with more water). The nose has notes of graham cracker, ethanol, and barbecue pit smoke. Adding water reveals hints of sweet dark honey malt and Teaberry gum. The palate is fiery with a burst of nougat, oak, and heat. Mesquite smoke is dominant until you add water, then flavors of 3 Musketeers, Honey Maid, and oak barrel emerge. This reminds me of Balcones Peated but is much less complex or refined, with a harsher smoke. The finish is hot, spicy malted milk, and smoldering mesquite scrub. I'm unsure what the PX finishing has contributed, as I don't detect any dark fruit, and I haven't tried the standard version for comparison. This is a wild one, not for casual malt drinkers. Experienced Islay drinkers will find it familiar, but this is a different kind of intensity. It needs more aging to mellow its aggressive nature, but the foundation is solid........76/100..... Keep refining this, Andalusia, you're close.........it's just too alcohol-forward, so I'm lowering the score despite the flavors I do enjoy.