Killara KD10 Tawny Cask

Aroma: Deep malt, berries, cooked fruit, and a rich Christmas pudding scent. Over time, subtle notes from the fortified wine cask emerge and intensify as it sits. Adding water doesn't enhance it and isn't necessary. Taste: Smooth and sweet, with a delightful balance of malt, cereal, and berry flavors from the wine. The taste isn't complex but is very pleasing. It's succulent and inviting, with the 47.5% alcohol being imperceptible except for a gentle warmth. The texture is good but could be richer. Similar to the aroma, the longer it rests and the more you taste, the more wine-cask influence becomes apparent. Diluting with a few drops reveals wood spice. This is beneficial as it adds balance and complexity, so contrary to the aroma, I'd suggest a few drops of water to help develop the taste. Finish: Medium. The malt fades to reveal red berries and grapes as the final flavors. After dilution, gentle spice notes persist into the aftertaste. This is an excellent whiskey. The aroma is profound and rich, yet possesses a crisp freshness that elevates it. It demonstrates skillful spirit selection and maturation. The small 100-liter Tawny (Australian-style port) cask was subtle, with no overt port character, just a suggestion of grapes and wine balanced against the malt. I could enjoy the aroma indefinitely. The taste is good, almost as impressive as the aroma. If it had more complexity, it would be exceptional, but that requires time. While I'm unsure of this NAS whiskey's age, it's clearly young and would likely benefit from a few more years in the cask. This also presents as a very traditional Scottish malt whiskey, reminiscent of wine-finished Arran and young, mellow Glenfarclas - a significant compliment! Killara is a fantastic distillery. I've relished every sample I've tried from them and have purchased several bottles. This was tasted from a 30ml sample, and I am seeking a full bottle. Highly recommended. "Very Good": 85/100 (4 stars)