M&H Apex Dead Sea

Could this be the peak of this distillery's offerings, a true paradise? This is an exceptionally unique maturation for a spirit. This particular release is the eighth in its series. It's a blend of sixty barrels, twenty each from ex-Bourbon, ex-STR, and ex-Red Wine casks, all aged for one year adjacent to the Dead Sea. Situated at approximately 427 meters below sea level, with summer temperatures reaching up to 50 degrees Celsius, the Dead Sea also has a salt concentration eight to ten times that of typical seawater. These barrels experienced a staggering 25% angel's share! The interaction with the wood and environment here is extreme. Following the year by the Dead Sea, the barrels spent an additional two years aging in Tel Aviv. Let's explore this unique spirit… Nose: It's sweet and a bit thin, with a slight harshness from the 56.2% ABV. Notes of vanilla, bitter chocolate, and coffee are present, along with mint/menthol, tobacco, and cinnamon. Palate: This is unusual (I feel I've used that descriptor frequently for this distillery's notes). It's thin yet potent. There's a very strong, overpowering application of spice that fades quickly: cinnamon, clove, black pepper, the fruitiness of red chili, and cardamom. Bitterness from cocoa powder emerges, followed by a dry, musty character, reminiscent of old tea bags. If you can navigate past that excessive and rushed wood influence, you'll discover notes of brown sugar, toffee, and aniseed. Unfortunately, the distillery's signature orange and floral lightness is completely absent here. Finish: Medium-short. The heat from chili and pepper overlays some fresh orchard fruit sweetness and a touch of milk chocolate creaminess. I suspect there's a hint of salinity, but it's hard to discern; the wood spice is just too dominant. The wood influence is significant. More accurately, wood influence is beneficial when applied with care and precision. While the intention to create a distinctive Israeli spirit was commendable, some approaches are ill-advised. One such approach is exposing a spirit to the planet's most extreme temperature conditions. Sadly, what could be a genuinely intriguing and promising spirit is ruined by aggressive wood-to-liquid exchange. You wouldn't put frozen fish sticks in the hottest oven and expect an even cook, and the equivalent shouldn't be done with spirits. As always, I am just a novice, and my assessment is likely flawed. I suspect I'm missing something, as I've encountered remarkably positive reviews. Or perhaps, like another award-winning expression, people are easily swayed by external factors, whether it's financial gain, media attention, or the general excitement surrounding a novel spirit destination. Unfortunately, I must refer to a marketing phrase to conclude my thoughts on these average spirits: "good things come to those who wait" Whisky tasting #247 [Pictured here with a chunk of Halite hopper crystals, representing the salty Dead Sea} Distillery running scores: Classic: 3.5/5 Sherry: 3/5 Red Wine: 3.25/5 Peated: 3.25/5 Pomegranate Apex: 3.75/5 Dead Sea Apex: 2.75/5

Milk & Honey, a recently established Israeli distillery, has introduced this Apex Cask Strength Single Malt from... the Dead Sea. It has been aged in extreme temperatures in that location, which I had the good fortune to visit. The Dead Sea earns its name from a higher salt concentration than any other lake, allowing you to float effortlessly. Consequently, no fish inhabit the lake (it's not actually a sea), and the most popular tourist activity involves scooping up the mud from the ground (it's a muddy terrain, not sandy) and applying it to your skin for purported rejuvenation. This was bottled at 56.5% ABV. On the nose, it is quite inviting. Mint and the distillery's signature yeast character. Cake and cotton candy. Lime. A very spongy cake and lemon ice cream. Red chili, citric lemon. It smells precisely like a pancake without the honey. On the palate, it's sweet and fruity. Oranges And chocolate briefly; then it transforms into a pleasant dulce de leche. The second sip is just like freshly squeezed orange juice, tart and very enjoyable. The finish is somewhat brief, but not unpleasant. Orange peel, metallic notes. Orange bubblegum and imperceptible sugar. Sweet and appealing. Overall, for a Cask Strength expression, this isn't overwhelmingly complex, but it's very drinkable. The nose is exceptionally good, and it meets all expectations. A fine dram, I hope to sample more from this distillery in the future; my rating is 85 out of 100.

Sampled at a distillery event. Aged by the Dead Sea at an average temperature of 50°C and at an altitude of -400 meters, which causes cask integrity issues but accelerates maturation. Made from ex-Bourbon and ex-Rye casks. Subtle aroma. Cereal notes. Alcohol burn is present. A small amount of water improves it. It's pleasant, and the concept of aging at the Dead Sea is interesting, but it didn't leave a memorable impression, especially considering the high cost.

A deep, complex aroma with a musty character. Flavors include toffee, dark wood, caramel, and perhaps some almond. Exceptionally rich and complex, with a considerable burn. I enjoy the dark, stormy mix of flavors; its richness helps support the taste and the burn, though not quite enough for the latter. The alcohol content is a bit intense, but it's still very well executed.

Nose: banana peel, lime zest Palate: lemon, black licorice, smoked orange wheels, black & blue steak Finish: fresh biscuits, doughnut shop

Excellent nose. Brine is present, but hardly noticeable in the taste. Very strong.