Cape Byron Chardonnay Cask

Sydney Whisky Show May 20th 2023. Whisky #5 Nose: Baked apple and pear, a peach pastry, toasted vanilla almonds and macadamias, warm buttery brioche. Aromatic dessert wine with oak undertones. Palate: A gentle, warm entry with fruit muffins and apricot preserves. It develops a buttery quality with caramel, baked apple, grape jelly, milk chocolate, and subtle spices (cinnamon). A hint of green apple and citrus appears later. The texture is smooth. Finish: Medium length. Moderately sweet, with fruity and wine notes carrying through to a mild citrus aftertaste. Cape Byron is a recent addition to the Australian whisky landscape, launching its initial core range of two expressions last September. However, I hadn't gotten around to trying this second expression until now. Maturation involved 40% in ex-Buffalo Trace bourbon casks and 60% in ex-Australian chardonnay casks (I'm unsure of the size but would estimate them to be around 100 litres and either ex-American or ex-French oak). It was fully matured in each cask type before blending, meaning this isn't merely a wine-cask finish. This expression is more influenced by the casks than the Original, presenting a generally sweeter profile, yet they've managed to maintain the distillery's character without letting it become unbalanced or overpowering. The wine influence does obscure the delicate maritime quality found in the Original, but it compensates with its own rich, creamy appeal. The chardonnay must have been exceptionally sweet and buttery, as I detect a note that borders on botrytis semillon. A truly delightful whisky. I believe I favor it over the Original expression; having rated that at 84/100, I'm awarding this one an additional percentage point, equating to 4 stars. It's also reasonably priced, and unlike many local whiskies, it's well worth the $140 asking price. "Very Good": 85/100 (4 stars)