Sawyers Bay Unpeated Double Oak (UD02)

I likely should have begun my exploration of Furneaux with these unpeated releases; unfortunately, I didn't. Sawyers Bay is the product line for Furneaux's unpeated expressions. Similar to the Flinders Island range, Sawyers Bay uses 100% Tasmanian pilsner malt, distilled in copper pot stills on Flinders Island. The unpeated versions are intended to showcase a smooth and sweet malt character. (The word 'smooth' is a pet peeve; I'm already bothered). These unpeated expressions are expected to be unique, featuring different cask types at various times while maintaining a consistent core theme. I'm currently sampling the Unpeated Double Oak, UD02. This spirit was aged for 3.5 years in two 100-liter single casks, blended after maturation: one French Oak ex-Apera and one American Oak ex-Bourbon (Heaven Hill). Recently released on April 26, 2024, 380 bottles were filled at 46.6% ABV. Nose: Lively, fresh, and vibrant. Abundant caramel and sweet confectionery notes. Juicy strawberries, honeyed malt, and a subtle clove spice. Unfortunately, a noticeable youthfulness comes across as slightly sharp, like raw spirit or baby vomit. Palate: Light with a slight oily viscosity. Echoing the nose, this is bright and juicy. The warm spices fill the mouth, suggesting clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Bright orange citrus and strawberries with cream are prominent flavors that blend well with brown sugar, a hint of chocolate, and liquid caramel. The profile is straightforward and as expected, but the unexpected elements are the mouth-watering juiciness and a peculiar sherbet-like sensation tingling at the edges of my tongue. Finish: Medium length. A touch of astringent tannin, toasted malt, buttery oak, orange juice, and more red berry notes. This was a quick and simple experience. It's a bit unrefined (almost literally), but the flavors are simple, well-executed, and clean. If the hints of youthful ethanol were reduced and the ex-Bourbon vanillins and toasted malt characteristics were more prominent, this would be a well-balanced and very expensive dram. [Pictured alongside a piece of quartzite from Cradle Mountain in northwestern Tasmania. This rock originated from massive dolerite intrusions that form a large portion of Tasmania, pushing through Cambrian sediments (~500 million years old) during the Jurassic period, heating and transforming them into a hard metamorphic rock]. Furneaux Distillery Running Scores Flinders Island Peated American Oak Ex-Bourbon: 3.5/5 Flinders Island Peated Double Cask: 3.25/5 Sawyers Bay Unpeated Double Oak: 2.75/5