Penderyn 10 year Madeira Cask Strength

Review: 21/23 Nose: An intriguing syrupy richness evokes thoughts of port cask finishing, particularly reminiscent of Kavalan Solist Port. It's harmonized by sweet, tart, and rich fruit notes. I detect candied orange peel alongside plain oily orange peel, with a subtle cherry undertone and a hint of spice. There's a richness here I can't quite pinpoint. Palate: Remarkable intensity! It's packed with flavor. The richness is extraordinary, almost viscous yet wonderfully balanced. The orange notes from the nose are present, with more emphasis on the oily peel, immense port sweetness and depth, plus some bold but controlled woody bitterness and mature tartness for equilibrium. A fleeting cocoa note appears, though it doesn't develop into a chocolate flavor. Finish: A well-balanced conclusion. The port character endures strongly. It features a sticky sweetness offset by tartness and a rich bitterness. - Summary - This possesses a far more robust flavor than anticipated for a 10-year-old Welsh Scotch. If I hadn't known its age and origin, I would have guessed Southeast Asia, perhaps the US. Why isn't 10-year-old Scotch consistently this flavorful? The flavor quality and balance are superb. Compared to another Madeira-finished malt whisky, this is significantly richer, bolder, and more intricate than Tyrconnell 15 Madeira, clearly surpassing it. I'm assigning no less than a 19, possibly a 21. A 22 might be stretching it, and a 23 seems improbable, but a 21 is definitely achievable. Side-by-side with my Kavalan Solist Port Cask, this is noticeably less bold and mature, with a sweeter fruit profile. However, this doesn't make the Kavalan seem vastly superior. Comparing the two is akin to comparing A De Fussigny XO (this) with Delord 25 (Kavalan). While I favored the Delord and anticipate doing the same with the Kavalan, the difference is quite small. I've rated the Kavalan a 20, which might be slightly low. I'm considering a 20 for this as well, potentially upgrading the Kavalan to a 21 later. Honestly, I'm tempted to give this a 21 right now. Let's venture off the beaten path. How does this stack up against A De Fussigny XO? I find the A De Fussigny more refined and floral, with considerably less body (as expected). This falls somewhere between the two. I'm tempted to blend them for comparison, but it pains me. I went ahead and tried a small amount of Kavalan mixed with this. First, it was fantastic. Second, it resembled this more than either component individually, though it lacked the intense fruity sweetness, leaning more towards woody and floral notes. Astonishingly, this held its own against the blend. Taking a wild chance: I'm comparing this directly with Glenfarclas 25 (a personal favorite, currently rated 23/23). My initial thoughts are: (1) The Glenfarclas offers greater complexity and sophistication. (2) The lower proof of the Glenfarclas is quite apparent here, making me question if I should lower its score and reserve the 23 for a Glenfarclas 25 Cask Strength. Between the two, I prefer the Glenfarclas, but this is much closer than I ever imagined. I previously thought this was in the 19-21 range, with 22 being highly unlikely, but now I'm considering a 20 or 21. A 22 still seems improbable, but I wouldn't rule it out entirely. Frankly, I'm amazed by its quality. I'm now leaning towards the 21-22 range. I believe a 21 is the correct score. Many thanks to a friend for sharing a sample of this spirit!

In the glass, it's amber-orange with faint, fast legs. Another fantastic pour, thanks to a friend. I deliberately kept myself in the dark to stay unbiased. Could it be from Scotland? Wales? Texas? Mexico? At this moment, I'm completely unsure... Immediately upon nosing, I detect canned peaches in syrup, followed by hints of apple cider and cola. It's absolutely wild. Not musty or aged, just a peculiar blend of scents. Reminiscent of a state fair. Based on initial probability and a common cognitive bias, I suspect this is another Penderyn. With that bias removed, I could even imagine this being brandy, not scotch. It's remarkably fruity. There are also slightly sharp oak notes, along with vanilla extract, perhaps a touch of cacao nibs or even light espresso. It's potent! And it feels a bit thin, but that's how it is. The fruitiness hits first, bright and tangy. Then a surprising wave of buttery notes emerges, followed by some rather jammy elements and a wine-finish rancio. I'd venture to say this is a whisky with a wine cask finish, because on the second sip, before the air enters my mouth and as long as I can hold it before the burn takes over – there's a really pleasant foundation of softer, less sharp oak and caramel. This is quickly overwhelmed by the surge of fruit, butter (maybe even ghee), and then nuts, cola, and jammy wine finish. I'm going to commit to this being finished in a red wine barrel. I'd guess the aging was done in first-fill ex-bourbon, but those caramel notes are completely overshadowed. Revealed as: Penderyn 10y Madeira cask strength. Sometimes cognitive biases are useful. I never would have guessed anything close without having recently sampled another cask strength Penderyn. The core character is clearly identical, but the wine influence is much more prominent here. Reviewing notes from friends, the guava is now easily noticeable, and the Swedish Fish comparison is quite accurate too. Remarkable stuff; I never would have guessed it was 10 years old. I'm not entirely convinced the Madeira works for me, but it likely will for many others. Regardless, this is an exceptionally intriguing and assertive pour!

Have you ever revisited a place after at least a decade, initially disliking it but later loving it? That was my experience with Mumbai. My first visit was dreadful: overcrowded, polluted air, grey skies, and widespread homelessness. About ten years later, I returned and discovered its balance, finding beauty within it. The air wasn't putrid; instead, it carried aromas of spices and street food like golgappa, roasted corn, and open markets selling cumin and turmeric. While homelessness existed, towering skyscrapers of marble and stone rose above the shanty towns. The grey skies brought monsoon rains that created a lush petrichor. That's how I feel about Penderyn. I last tried one perhaps 9-10 years ago and wasn't impressed, dismissing the brand after one bad experience. It was too bland, bready, and light. But this one is entirely different. The boring bready taste is gone, replaced by abundant guava. If you dislike guavas, avoid this. But if you're a fan, it's packed with freshly cut guavas. The finish is long, with more fruit, this time Asian pears. It's exceptionally well-crafted. Many thanks to a friend for sharing a generous sample.

Nose: apricot, cereal grain, plum, cherry, guava, orange, caramel, vanilla, allspice, tomato, slight sulfur, grass, powdered sugar, with mild to moderate ethanol burn. Taste: apricot, orange pith, plum, sour apple, tannic oak, cereal grain, allspice, slight sulfur, bitter herbal notes, caramel, vanilla, lemon, with a moderate alcohol bite. The finish is medium-short with stone fruit, citrus pith, and tannic oak flavors. Coming from the 12 Year Ruby Cask, I'm hoping the remaining Penderyns will be more agreeable. The nose is very fruity. It's clearly a heavily finished single malt. There's a noticeable graininess alongside citrus and an acidity reminiscent of tomato. The palate mirrors the fruitiness but is unfortunately bitter and slightly sour. There's also a hint of sulfur. The finish is relatively short and drying. This isn't as intensely bitter as the 12 Year Ruby Cask, but it unfortunately shares some of the same bitterness and youth. Overall, it's a few steps better. It's a good whiskey, but it just barely meets my standards. A big thank you to a friend for the generous sample!

Nine years ago, I had my first taste of Penderyn whiskey and must admit I didn't care for it or want to try it again until I heard about this cask strength Madeira finish. This is a fruity whiskey. I'm not sure it's for everyone, but it's certainly interesting. The initial aroma is pure guava fruit with vanilla almond cookies. I'd even say it resembles the taste of Swedish fish candy. Upon revisiting, you detect dried kiwi, cotton candy, and raspberry jam. The flavors on the palate follow the nose, with an explosion of all the tastes and a medium finish. If you're seeking a fruity treat, this whiskey is for you. I'm glad Penderyn has improved over the years and happy I tried this one.