Arran Sassicaia Cask Finish

We're only in May 2019, and I suspect this might be one of the whiskies contending for my top 3 of the year. An absolutely remarkable dram, truly outstanding. And I've learned a valuable lesson: I only had a sample, which I shared with a friend. After tasting it, I was so annoyed I'd shared it, especially when I discovered there were only 5670 bottles ever produced, and they're now impossible to find. So, I missed out on two full sips of this beauty by being a good friend. Haha. Bottled at 55% ABV, this whisky spent 8 years in sherry casks before being finished in Sassicaia red wine casks from Tuscany. I hadn't heard of Sassicaia before, but I'll never forget it now. Nose: Flawless. Coffee, orange marmalade. Sherried. Orange candy. Grass. Mint. Heather. Pineapple and red fruits emerge after the first sip. Palate: My immediate reaction upon tasting was "WOW." Chocolate milk. Dulce de leche. Coffee and almonds. Wafers (it genuinely tastes like a sweet treat unique to Ecuador called 'Tango'). Orange. An incredibly thick body. To conclude this description, it tastes exactly like a dessert known in Spanish as 'Mil hojas,' which translates to 'mille-feuille' in French and English. Look it up yourself, and you'll recognize the flavor. Finish: Heavenly. A smoky, beautiful finish with a hint of spice. I don't really care what the specific spice is; it's amazing. Overall: This is a 100 out of 100 dram, practically unobtainable (though samples can be found on Master of Malt). If you ever come across a bottle, please invite me. Cheers!

Hmm, once you add a little water to mellow it out, it's not too bad at all. A slightly orange, plastic-like aroma. The palate, after watering, is still a bit harsh, as are most mid-range cask strength Arrans... mostly rough and ready. Still, not a bad dram... it has flavor and character... wouldn't rush to get a bottle, though.

Mild, tranquil, and delightful. With a wine-like flavor, possibly from the finishing cask. A quite potent and impactful experience.