Tasmanian Independent Bottlers "Fleurieu Distillery Release 3"

Australian Single Malt Whisky Tasting (Part 2), The Oak Barrel, Sydney, January 17, 2020, Whisky #3 Smell: Sherry, raisins, mild spices, oak, and a subtle floral note in the background. The aroma left in the glass is predominantly oak and sherry. Taste: Begins with fruitcake and mild baking spices. A slight astringency develops (walnuts, black tea) but is counterbalanced by honey and fortified wine. A subtle leathery note is present, but overall, it's a sherry-forward experience driven by the cask. Finish: Medium to short. Notes of dark fruit and fortified wine in the aftertaste. Tasmanian Independent Bottlers sources unaged spirit from various Australian and New Zealand distilleries, maturing it in their own facility in Hobart in 100-liter barrels. The spirit and cask are chosen to complement each other, utilizing different wood types and previous fills. This is the third bottling of spirit sourced from Fleurieu Distillery in South Australia. Each release was aged in an ex-sherry cask from the Hunter Valley wine region in New South Wales (this particular expression used cask FL007). While it is skillfully made, and neither the spirit nor the cask has any apparent flaws, I didn't find this whisky particularly engaging. Original bottlings from Fleurieu are typically bold, fruity, sherry-influenced, and possess a characteristic salty caramel flavor, whereas this dram was rather one-dimensionally sherried. Its profile is somewhat like a blend of a young Glenfarclas and a young Aberlour, but lacking the distinctiveness of either. Considering the price ($200 for a 500ml bottle), it does not offer great value. "Above Average": 80/100 (3 stars)