Journeyman Distillery New Zealand Doublewood Single Malt Whisky: Aged 16 Years

This single malt originates from Willowbrook Distillery in Dunedin, New Zealand. It spent six years in former bourbon barrels and a decade in French oak wine casks. The aroma is rich with raisins, strawberry jam, honey, and a brown sugar note that borders on root beer. On the palate, the French oak wine casks are immediately noticeable, offering dark stewed fruits alongside subtle hints of gingersnaps, cloves, vanilla, and an unidentifiable nuttiness. Subsequent sips reveal watermelon rind, fig preserves, light honey, and herbal qualities. However, a pronounced barrel bitterness detracts from the delicate flavors of this single malt. This likely explains why it's bottled at 40% ABV, resulting in somewhat muted flavors overall. It's a pleasant and intricate whisky that falls just short of its full potential. It bears a resemblance to a lighter, lower-proof, and less harmonious Balcones Single Malt, despite its older age and higher cost.