Launceston Tawny Cask

I have a strong preference for whiskies finished in Tawny/Port casks; they always appeal to me, unlike rum cask finishes. Similar to the bourbon cask version, this standard Tawny offering is less impressive than the cask strength version I've had before. Nose: Deep sweetness of dark chocolate, toffee, and raisins. Nicely balanced by subtle notes of dark wood, furniture polish, and leather. Some of the notes I observed in the cask strength version, such as caramel, tobacco, and a musty scent, are missing here. Palate: Rich and syrupy. It's like Christmas cake in a glass: containing dried fruits, cinnamon, and cloves. There's a touch of oak tannin, some caramel, and a leathery finish. The textures are less developed, and the depth of flavor from the wood is not as evident as in the cask strength. The buttery mouthfeel, wood spices, and crunchy brown sugar notes are simply not present. Finish: Medium-long. Bitter-sweet chocolate with a hint of Christmas spice. This might sound like I'm being negative, but that's not the case at all. This is a delightful spirit; it's just not precisely what I seek. I desire the full experience of the cask strength single cask. Interestingly, there's a fourth iteration of the "Angus Cask" available at the distillery. Angus is the owner's 16-year-old Scottish dog. For the fourth time, a special limited release has been created in honor of Angus. Currently, the fourth cask is a 50l Tawny bottled at 50.4%, and samples are only given to a select few. I was fortunate enough to taste one. I won't be posting a review for it, as it didn't feel appropriate. However, I will say it's fantastic, truly wonderful; it's like this Tawny version amplified. I would have purchased a bottle, but it's still not the cask strength... and another release (between us) is coming soon... The price is for 500 ml. Distillery whisky taste rating #254 [Pictured here, without ice, showing some of the distillery] Launceston scoring: Bourbon cask: 3.5/5 Bourbon cask, cask strength single cask: 4/5 Apera cask: 3.75/5 Tawny cask: 3.75/5 Tawny cask, cask strength single cask: 4.25/5 Rum cask finish: 3.25/5 American & French oak reserve: 4.25/5

Nice sweet caramel and maybe cardamom aroma. Taste wise not a lot of flavor but similarities to the nose, just less characterful.

Reminiscent of a delicious Christmas pudding