Starward Small Batch Cherry Wood Smoked Malt

This 2020 release, now unavailable and made with cherry wood-smoked barley, was the first in Starward's Small Batch Specialty Malt Series. With only 300 bottles produced and a distillery-only sale, this 55% ABV spirit commands a high price now (AUD$399/500 ml). Information on the casks, barley, smoking process (beyond cherry wood), or any red wine influence from Starward is absent, leaving us to explore this nearly blind. Nose: Mild smoke, with a distinct wood smoke scent possibly hiding a slight acetone note. It's lightly perfumed, featuring an emerging sweet and sour character from sour apple vinegar and tangy pineapple. As it rests, a nutty, coconut oil impression develops, perhaps the 'tropical spirit' Starward often highlights but which I typically struggle to detect. Palate: Peculiar. A strong conflict is present. The wood smoke evokes BBQ smoking chips, intense and ash-like, hinting at meat or brine, which would be delightful. However, instead of savory notes, there's overwhelming sweetness. Intense fruit flavors of pineapple, banana, and a spritz of citrus (grapefruit or lime?) dominate. It's like liquid wood smoke flavoring mixed with tropical soda. Finish: Brief. The sweetness fades into rather dull wood smoke. Underwhelming. Adding water detracts from the experience, introducing a murky, curdled texture that makes finishing the dram unappealing. This nose reminds me of Smokehead Rum Rebel, and I must admit, I dislike this whisky. Having tried few wood-smoked whiskies, I suspect they are less common than peat-smoked malts because they are frequently unpleasant. While the nose is acceptable, I wouldn't advise spending money to experience it. The rest of the dram is akin to being at an amateurish, over-the-top coal-fired BBQ, constantly sprayed with cheap, sugary, generic tropical fruit drink. While some might enjoy this experience, I'll definitely decline the invitation. [Paired with a native copper specimen. Copper, one of four naturally occurring pure metals, has been used by humans for millennia. Roman copper likely came from Cyprus, hence its name and symbol 'aes cuprum' or 'metal of Cyprus,' evolving into cuprum, then Copper, Cu. This piece is from Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula, known for the world's largest native copper deposits.] Starward running scores Nova: 3/5 Fortis: 3.25/5 Solera: 3.75/5 10th Anniversary: 4.25/5 Vitalis 15th Anniversary: 4.5/5 Whisky Club Exclusive, Maple Cask: 2/5 Whisky Club Exclusive, Cognac Cask: 3.5/5 Projects, Octave Barrels: 3.75/5 Projects, Dolce: 2.25/5 Projects, Bourbon Cask: 3.5/5 Projects, Tawny #2: 3.5/5 Projects, UnExpeated: 3.75/5 Projects, Peated: 2.75/5 Small Batch, Cherry Wood Smoked: 2/5 Small Batch, Hungarian Oak: 3/5 Small Batch, Sticky Toffee Apple: 3.25/5 Small Batch, Chardonnay: 4/5 Whisky Loot Single Barrel Single Malt Exclusive: 3.5/5