M&H Elements Red Wine Cask

Nose: A dry and waxy aroma with plenty of malty brown sugar, vibrant strawberry, and a splash of orange. The malt is subtle, clean, and warming. The red wine cask is noticeable in the strawberry notes but doesn't feel heavy or damp as experienced with other recent red wine cask finishes. Later on, a hint of coconut and a mineral quality appear. Palate: Tannic and moderately dry. It possesses a warmth that might contradict the nose, yet it maintains a light profile with some floral notes and preserved orange-lemon. Red fruit, mocha, a touch of pepper, and a significant amount of slightly tobacco-like wood. Similar to the nose, coconut and cinnamon emerge later. Finish: Medium length. Mineral and metallic notes, a gentle touch of saltiness, and abundant tannic wood create a crisp, dry conclusion. Overall, this was surprising. While it's too heavily oaked for my personal preference in whisky, I do appreciate the floral elements. Is it excessively dry? Possibly. Are the metallic-mineral notes out of place? Perhaps. However, despite not deeply engaging me, I find it better balanced and integrated than the Sherry Cask, warranting a slightly higher rating.

I tried four different whiskies from the newer "Milk & Honey" distillery, which is already quite well-regarded. Their emblem is neat, featuring a black cow or bull with yellow stripes resembling bees. For Jewish people, the concepts of milk and honey hold significant importance, often appearing in religious texts like the Bible and the Talmud. After tasting all four of their expressions, this "Elements" variety, finished in red wine casks, stands out as the best. It's bottled at 46% ABV and has a golden hue. The aroma is quite pleasant, starting with a spicy, rye-like quality, followed by vanilla cake. There's a very appealing, prominent yeasty note, reminiscent of a spongy cake filled with spices, chili, and apples. It smells very yeasty and good, like freshly baked bread, with an overall cake-like impression. On the palate, it's not overly complex but enjoyable. Flavors include red apples, like baby food apples, and a nice peppery spice. A subsequent sip revealed yellow apples and more stewed fruits. The finish is excellent, with a pleasant smoky and earthy character. The smokiness is subtle and well-balanced, making it delightful. While this might not be the typical taste you'd expect from a red wine cask finish, it delivers the kind of quality you'd want in any whisky. The combination of fruity, peaty, yeasty, and spicy notes is very pleasing and makes me eager to explore more from this new distillery, located so far away. They did a great job, earning a well-deserved 88 out of 100.

UPDATE: A bit of water really wakes up this whiskey. The caramel, apples, and red fruits from the wine meld together in an outstanding and vibrant blend that is rich and smooth. A must-drink with a touch of water. It improved my rating. A decent whiskey, but I feel it needs more cereal notes to balance the richness from the wine cask. On the nose are apples, or maybe pears, in caramel sauce. The palate is rich and spicy, with notes reminiscent of rum, baking spices, vanilla, and apple tartness. The finish is brief to moderate, with lingering red wine tannins and oak.

This is reminiscent of Malbec from a wine barrel, though the aroma of apple peel is quite pronounced. Upon pouring, the smell is dry and astringent, with an odd nail polish note. Subsequently, the wine influence emerges with vanilla, rich plum, black cherry, and cranberry. The palate presents in layers. The first impression of dark fruit is harmonized by warm spice, yet it remains manageable. The wine cask's presence moderates, leading to a medium-length finish.

From a Flaviar advent calendar, day #10. Nose: jammy and fruity, specifically berry jam and cranberry. Vanilla. Red wine notes are present. Honeyed grain. Palate: Young malt notes. A bit harsh on the tongue. Plum, apple, oak tannin, mild cranberry. Slightly spicy, peppery as it transitions to the finish. Finish: Thin, heat at the back of the throat, mild grain and oak, slight minerality.

From a whiskey advent calendar, quite harsh, burns; ice is essential. The ice initially brings out hints of raisins or a sweeter fruit. I detected some earthiness, then it disappeared. After a few minutes, the ice cooled the whiskey, suppressing most of what I tasted; only the burn and a burning honey finish remained. This isn't one I'd rush out to buy.