Killowen 10 Year Hungarian Oak Finish (Bonded Experimental Series)

Rating: 17/23 I've been curious about Hungarian oak for a while. My guess is it's similar to French oak, which isn't my top choice but isn't bad either. Nose: It smells a bit young with a subtle, restrained raw meat scent. There's a hint of sweetness, but not much else. Palate: Mizunara? I was not expecting that. It has a sandalwood aroma and pleasant sweetness with subtle vanilla. This might be from a mix of oak types, not solely the Hungarian oak, but it's quite intriguing and enjoyable! Some pleasant coconut that isn't overpowering or intense, but it's definitely present. I also detect youthful notes with light grain, ethanol, and the typical oily character of Irish whiskey. There are some sharp spices, which is a drawback. However, there's also a delightful touch of nectarine nectar. At times, I even get a surprising coffee flavor. Finish: The sandalwood lingers, as does the coffee. The sharp spices and that peculiar oily Irish whiskey taste also persist. - Conclusion - This one is unusual. It doesn't quite hit the mark perfectly, but it offers some very interesting flavors. It seems a little unaged, but I'd be keen to sample a more mature, polished version. Killowen hasn't impressed me much before, but this expression definitely changes my perspective. To compare that intense mizunara hit, I opened my bottle of The Shin 10 (rated 16/23). The Shin is peated and funkier, really emphasizing that sandalwood profile. However, it has more sulfur, making it less appealing. The sandalwood also has a more bitter quality. Frankly, it tastes inexpensive compared to this – there's a decadent purity here that The Shin can't match (though this also means more alcohol flavor comes through). After a few more sips of The Shin, the difference isn't as stark. More vegetal and herbal notes emerge alongside smoky undertones as the sulfur fades. I'd still prefer this, but it's not a runaway victory. Nikka From the Barrel (/23) is richer, maltier, and more decadent than this. The Nikka is at least a high 17, possibly an 18 I underestimated. The main point is, the Nikka is superior to this. It lacks that distinctive impactful quality, but it's simply a better-quality drink. How does this compare in terms of quality? Well, Highland Park 16 Wings of the Eagle (17/23) offers funky smoke and bourbon richness, perhaps a bit too much intensity. I find this to be quite competitive given its richness – although it certainly presents more alcohol and is less intricate. McIvor 17 (16/23) has some pleasant richness, but it's not on the same level as this. I'm leaning towards a 17, though I could be persuaded to give it a 16. Honestly, I'm undecided, but I'm thinking it's a low 17. This is a really nice drink and a fantastic showcase of Hungarian oak and (hopefully) the distillery's talent and future potential. Many thanks to a friend for sharing this with me!

“Send in the virgins!” cask finished whiskey. Reading more about this and this is more than just a Hungarian finish. Take their Irish blend, 75/5 + 20 (Grain and malted) plus 20 North Ireland malted. Starts in ex-bourbon casks, then finished in Sherry butts. Blended with another Irish single malt aged in ex-bourbon. All this is finally finished in Virgin Hungarian Oak. A lot of blending and mixing; hence the experiment. Does all that experimentation over ten years produce an outstanding or worthwhile whiskey? I don’t know yet. As I was prefacing this tasting with these words, the pour has been opening. A gentle fruity sweetness on the nose. Apple crumb pie with a dusting of cinnamon. A La mode vanilla bean ice cream right alongside. Ethanol vapors do obscure the nice aroma. Toasted coconut and orange (but that artificial type like a lollipop or Italian ice), and fresh pears. Earthy, worn leather. Deep in the recesses is cedar grilling wraps and honey drizzle. Unlike the gentle aroma, the palate is harsh and biting because of the strength at 52.5%. That artificial orange coats the palate with cinnamon and clove. I struggle to extract other flavors as it may need water to loosen up. Well, water definitely softens the raw bite and becomes a bit more approachable. Caramel apples, burnt marshmallows, grilled pears, walnuts. Towards the fade into the finish, maraschino cherries flavor appears, almost out of nowhere. It offers a nice little twist. That artificial orange transforms to oranges (like the common pub Old Fashioned with the muddled orange and cherry) as it forms finishes. Oak, charcoal and back to that earthy leather. A nice balanced finish that you hope won’t fade quickly and rewardingly it doesn’t. The nose is one of the better noses. The cask strength, raw whiskey shields the hidden flavors. Water really does this a favor. An un-Irish Irish whiskey. I do get a sense that this whiskey is restrained and holds more flavor that needs to be pushed out. Maybe it’s more time finishing needed. Or maybe it’s just me unable to identify those other flavors. But what I can taste or detect is good, with a touch of water. Thanks a friend for the generous sample. [86/100][Tasted: 9/16/22]

The aroma begins with fresh-from-the-oven cinnamon apple crumble, a hint of lemon zest's tartness, and light, sweet honeysuckle floral notes. This is followed by dark chocolate-covered hazelnuts and toasted marshmallow, then caramelized pears, cherry pie filling, and orange blossom. It transitions to gentle baking spices, leather, and polished oak with minimal alcohol sting. The palate offers a medium body, starting with a slight sourness that quickly yields to apple cider simmering with a cinnamon stick and cloves. Next, there's a mild tartness from sautéed gooseberries and light, sweet honeysuckle floral notes, preceding dark chocolate-covered hazelnuts and toasted marshmallow. This is followed by caramelized pears, maraschino cherries, and lightly scorched orange peel, leading into gentle baking spices, leather, and polished oak with a moderate alcohol burn. The finish is medium in length, featuring cinnamon apple crumble, dark chocolate orange, toasted marshmallow, leather, and polished mahogany. Incredible, this is a delightful drink with a fantastic combination of baked citrus, sweet florals, chocolate, and toasted oak. The Hungarian virgin oak cask appears to have smoothed out most of the sharp, young flavors, achieving near-perfect harmony with a sweet and toasty conclusion. Damn it, [Distillery Name]! I was just complaining about your inconsistent quality, noting how your products can range from amazing to quite disappointing, and this is another example. However, this one is the opposite of the last I tried and is sensational. I still don't believe it justifies the steep $90 price tag for a 375ml bottle, but if it were half the cost, I'd gladly purchase a bottle. My thanks to a friend for the generous sample of this one to try.

Similar to a buttery abunadh