Hobart Single Malt Whisky Chardonnay Cask Finish

This is the fifth dram from Hobart tonight, featuring another finish that hasn't been released yet. This one is a Chardonnay finish, reportedly set for release later this year. That's all I know as I begin tasting this, feeling ignorant and increasingly tipsy! Nose: Delicate and fragrant/floral. Grassy and hay notes dominate, with a hint of oat and apple skins. There might be some barrel char, possibly contributing to the 'raw' characteristic mentioned for this unreleased spirit. The malt has a toasty quality, leaning towards a soft, milky bread texture. I appreciate its simplicity; it feels sophisticated rather than plain. Palate: Robust and intense, with a vibrant, fresh maltiness, green grassy flavors, and sweet peach. It has a juicy mouthfeel, with more toasted notes and a vanilla caramel developing in the background. The barrel spice is somewhat pronounced, bringing waves of pepper and possibly some chili heat. It feels a bit raw, but I don't mind it. Finish: Extended. Buttery and milky, with notes of white grapes and honeydew melon, complemented by oak and a spicy zest. Adding a splash of water integrates the flavors into a buttery, grape-rich, malty, and smooth liquid. The rough and raw edges are smoothed out, but it results in a harmonious blend rather than an enhancement. Unique characteristics become slightly less distinct but not diminished. The caramel extends to the finish, and the spice mellows. Similar to the unreleased Muscat finish, there's potential for this to be a truly enjoyable release. It makes me anticipate trying another chardonnay cask I have in my samples, which I plan to open in a couple of months. I suspect the acclaim for Hobart whisky might be justified; something special is happening there. Note: Prices are for 500 ml bottles. [No ice, not up for thinking about six captions right now]. Hobart distillery current scores Signature Batch (#14): 2.75/5 Muscat Cask Finish: 2.75/5 Botrytis Cask Finish: 4.5/5 Pinot Noir Cask: 3/5 Chardonnay Cask Finish: 4/5