Bushmills Black Bush 80/20 PX Sherry Cask Reserve

Review #66 - Whisk(e)y #48 Chill-filtered - Yes Added Colour - Yes ABV - 40% Appearance - Gold-amber color. Smell - Sweet, malt, caramel, honey, oak, oak spice, a little grainy sharpness, general dried fruit, dryness, dark chocolate. Taste - Slightly creamy, malty and sweet at the start, then becomes hot and spicy, with oak in the middle. Once the harshness mellows, there's a surge of fresh orchard fruit sweetness, followed by dried fruit and dryness. End - Medium...possibly even medium-long, dark, dried fruit, malt, raisins, caramel, honey, oaky dryness, a pleasant subtle bitterness...dark chocolate aftertaste, with crème brûlée - caramelized sugar appearing later. For a bottle available at 23 EUR / L, the finish is remarkable, and the nose is also great...though harshness is definitely present in the middle. Considerably better than the overly-bitter classic Black Bush, and it has just become a favorite in this price category, alongside the Dewar's 12yo.

Grain sweetness blends surprisingly with the Irish PX finished single malt. Grassy notes, hints of buttery biscuits mingle with the raisins and figs from the sherry. The aroma accurately reflects what follows on the palate and finish. Intriguing

Smell: sweet (figs, raisins), cinnamon, fruit (dates) Taste: sweet at first, then surprisingly spicy Aftertaste: prolonged, warming, spicy initially, then more like chewy sweetness and nuts, dark chocolate

A sweet and fresh aroma with a hint of caramel. Most of the flavor registers on the back of the tongue. A slightly metallic taste. It's very warming all the way down. Drank it neat as always.

A good standard Irish whisky at a good price. Smooth to drink with a nice lasting finish. I might prefer a 100% grain spirit, though.

A rich fruitcake with spice, plus notes of orange zest and sweet vanilla. It has a sherry-like sweetness, with raisins and woody oak undertones.