Knappogue Castle 12 Year Marco de Bartoli Marsala Cask Finish

This is the second release in Knappogue Castle's Cask Finish Series. It's my first of the three, and I plan to try the others eventually. I haven't experienced a Marsala cask-finished whiskey before, but I've consistently enjoyed every Knappogue Castle product I've tried so far. Let's see how a Marsala finish impacts the experience. Nose: The Marsala cask seems to be the dominant influence, quite similar to sherry. Notes of red/purple grape, plum, and cola, along with raisin, date, and fig. You can also detect malt, toffee, shortbread cookie, vanilla, and caramel. Almond and cashew are present. It reminds me of a banana-walnut muffin. Floral and perfumed notes are noticeable. The characteristic green apple of Knappogue Castle is there but takes a backseat to the cask's impact. Finally, there are hints of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and allspice. I could spend a long time just smelling this. Palate: More plum and cola, date and fig flavors come through. A slight hint of Christmas pound cake. Sweet and sour raspberry jam with cranberry tartness. Additional notes of almond and cashew, as well as caramel, vanilla, toffee, and malt. Maple sweetness is present. There's absolutely no sign of the alcohol. Finish: Medium-long. A burst of spice immediately hits as the palate shifts. Cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg emerge strongly. Once that subsides, a distinct Granny Smith apple flavor appears, which I typically associate with Knappogue Castle. There are also more plum and dry red fruit notes. Raspberry is present. It finishes dry with some oak. It's surprisingly intense initially but mellows with each sip. Excellent. I truly wish I could differentiate between sherry and Marsala; my lack of experience with either wine likely affects my perception. Regardless, the nose and palate are 5-star, and the finish is 4.5 stars. It's 12 years old, has a respectable ABV of 46%, and a unique cask choice. There's a lot to appreciate here. Only 1200 bottles were produced. I'm pleased I obtained one, despite the steep price of $80. It's well worth it. I'm eager to review the other two. If you appreciate wine cask-finished single malts, purchase this immediately. I've upgraded my rating from 4.75 to 5 stars, as the palate improved even further to match the nose after a few months.