Oppidan Bourbon Smoke + Sea

This beverage offers a harmonious blend of cherry, smoke, and caramel on the nose. The palate is more exciting, featuring additional cherry notes, a surprising amount of peat despite the smoke originating from the barrels rather than the malt, slightly bitter but pleasant spice notes, and a pronounced milk chocolate flavor, especially on the finish. There's a touch of heat, possibly indicating youth, but it complements the other flavors well. The cherry note is reminiscent of cherry wood, similar to what is found in another specific spirit, suggesting it derives from the barrels. This is a highly recommended whiskey, offering exceptional value and a unique profile, making it a worthy addition to any collection.

Nose: Unlike a standard bourbon, this one presents dark fruit upfront, preceding hints of vanilla and oak. The plums and other dark stone fruits, combined with nutmeg and cocoa powder, evoke a black forest cake. A very mild smokiness joins drier notes of twigs and soil. Maraschino cherries and dark chocolate, richer than milk chocolate, appear next, alongside blackberries and dried mango. Dilution introduces a pronounced almond scent. Extended aeration reveals a rich toffee aroma. Palate: A more potent oak cask presence and earthy soil notes are perceived, alongside a clearer smoke from the Islay cask's influence. Stone fruits remain prominent, complemented by ginger spice and malt. Light caramel and chocolate emerge with cherries. Finish: Lasting a medium duration, it's dry with dominant oak and vanilla, a faint smokiness, and persistent dark stone fruit flavors.

Uncorking - Aroma - More bourbon characteristics than smoke initially, but then the smoke and phenols emerge. Not sweet on the nose at all. Dry twigs. Fresh earth. Several layers to explore here. Taste - Wow, right from the start, char and ash. Much more than the nose suggested. Islay levels here. But then it's all bourbon on the finish. This is less a blend and more like layers. You do get that band-aid note, sea salt, peat smoke, and even some grass and spice. Smoked meats from Italy. Seriously. Finish - The smoke fades quickly for me, and a pleasant bourbon lingers with a touch of warmth. Overall, I'm impressed. I keep returning for another sip. Tastes hotter than its stated proof. As a big fan of Islay and bourbon, this is quite intriguing. I'm surprised this bottle doesn't get more attention.

The nose immediately reminds me of street corn. Nice charred flavor along with corn sweetness. The palate is quite velvety and spicy, as French oak tends to be. It has a little bitterness on the tail end from the barrel that detracts some. The finish is medium with some pretzel or salted popcorn. There’s a bit of blackberry and pomegranate too. It’s not an absolute banger, but it is unique.

Magnificent, I love these kinds of releases. It's undoubtedly a bourbon with remarkable campfire smoke and a subtle earthiness. They integrate well without overpowering the solera cask bourbon characteristics. I would repurchase for my collection, though it's rather expensive in Canada. 6+ months later: Considerably less smoke/peat and more bourbon notes are apparent. Curious about the change in palate.

Nose - Stone fruit - Dark fruit - Plum - Baking spice - Maraschino cherry - Vanilla - Gingerbread - Chocolate cake with vanilla frosting - Cherry blossom chocolate bar Palate - Campfire smoke - Chocolate - Stone fruit - Cherry - Nougat - Caramel - Oak - Almonds - Blackberry This is the finest bourbon I've had to date. 15/10/2019