Bakery Hill Blunderbuss (Third Edition)

Nose: Grain, timber, asparagus, leafy greens, toffee, spearmint, hide, fir sap, sea salt, java, gentle smoke. The aroma strongly brings mescal to mind. Dilution tempers the scent, with oak still dominating. Palate: A dry, firm start with dry grain and savory, saline vegetal notes. It's quite briny with a whisper of smoke, again hinting at mescal. When diluted, it became more pleasing; the water introduced sweetness, counterbalancing the intensely dry, salty character and boosting the smoke. The mouthfeel also grew smoother, which was appreciated, and the spice softened. Finish: Extended. Dark chocolate, toasted grains, vegetal and saline notes persist, along with hints of spice and a lingering peat smoke taste. Water had little effect on the finish. Spent five years in a former bourbon cask, then two years in a former stout cask, this spirit presents a bold, assertive, dry, and zesty profile. This marks the third release of Blunderbuss, a joint effort between Bakery Hill distillery and Hop Nation brewery. It's also the first Blunderbuss expression to feature peat. Its impressive nature is undeniable, but it's a touch too showy for my preference. Blunderbuss is an apt name, as its subtlety is akin to a blunderbuss. This is a skillfully crafted and uniquely aged spirit, though not a style that resonates with me. I found it required significant water to transition from merely intriguing to genuinely enjoyable. Bakery Hill enjoys a dedicated fanbase in Australia, and their spirits typically receive high marks, yet I've never joined their ranks. Still, this is unquestionably a solid spirit, approaching excellent. Sampled from a 15ml pour. "Good": 84/100 (3.75 stars)