Bunnahabhain Palo Cortado 11yr

Just as the Santis 7 yr merlot cask was the surprise hit of the evening yesterday at a friend's tasting, this was the surprise disappointment, at least for me. I expected so much more, considering how well regarded was Bunna’s Palo Cortado cask. Palo Cortado supposedly is more expensive because it’s the stage in sherry cask maturation which is harder to control and manage. Maybe it was because this was right after the Michter’s 10 yr and a few other potent tastings, but I just felt the nose and palette were weak. It was more like a Pinot Grigio than a whisky. Way too light with barely a hint of lemons and citrus. Slight peat. But really I wasn’t getting anything else. I might have to give this another go, without preceding it with a Michter’s or other assertive whiskeys.

A friend shared this bottle some weeks back after we cracked it open. It did not fare well against the others that evening, and tasting it alone, the reason is obvious: it feels rather disjointed. There's a pleasant sweet sherry/spirit blend in the middle, but the aroma is rather dull, and the ending takes an unexpected turn toward woody spice that doesn't fit with what came before. While I don't enjoy intensely sherried whiskies, in this case, I feel the spirit could have used more time aging.