Waterford The Cuvée

Waterford Tasting, The Oak Barrel, Sydney, November 27th 2023, Whisky #7. Nose: Pie crust, apples, vanilla egg custard, malted barley. I detect the faintest possible hint of smoke. Palate: A smooth, rich arrival that becomes more assertive and slightly peppery as it develops. Gritty cereal, freshly baked scones, baking spices. Stewed and fresh orchard fruits emerge. Very well balanced. Over time, the palate softens towards the finish. The texture is oily. Finish: Medium/long. Mildly spiced cereals and faint sweet apple. An enjoyable and cohesive whisky that has received conflicting opinions, and I struggle to comprehend why. It's a 4 year old bottling (and a very good one) demonstrating integration, length, and complexity. While I believe some of Waterford's single farm varietals showcase more distinct character, this truly drinks like a well-crafted blend. I am reducing my rating by one percentage point now that I have sampled this alongside a broader selection of Waterford whiskies, but it remains impressive, and I purchased a bottle that evening. "Very Good": 86/100 (4 stars). Sydney Whisky Show May 20th 2023. Whisky #26. Nose: Apple pie with custard sauce and vanilla ice cream. Cherry nougat, honey, caramel, and malted milk. There's a minuscule note of brine, orange essence, and some fresh mixed herbs. Palate: A soft, plush, creamy arrival with abundant baking spices and flavors centered on barley and malt, featuring toasted muesli, hot spice cookies, and porridge with butter, salt, and brown sugar (the only proper way to consume it!). As it develops, a more intricate range of subtle spice emerges alongside some soft orchard fruit notes. It exhibits excellent balance and complexity, and despite the richness of the palate, it maintains a certain zesty, crisp green apple quality. The texture is oily and coats the mouth. Finish: Medium. Largely an extension and conclusion to the palate, with fruit and spice supporting the grain flavors. There was some minor debate surrounding this expression upon its release, as it appeared to deviate from Waterford's prior strong advocacy for single farm origin whiskies. Perhaps this was the initial intention, or maybe it was a modification driven by market analysis. Who knows? Who cares? The whisky has received widely divergent critiques, yet I ponder the rationale behind some reactions. The dram in the glass is paramount, and I place my trust in my own taste buds and initial impressions, both of which indicate that this is one of the most complete and approachable Waterfords I have sampled, while preserving the distillery's characteristic clean, crisp, and elegant distillate. "Very Good": 87/100 (4.25 stars).

Appearance: Deep gold. Aroma: Grassy and grain-like, with barley malt being dominant and rich vanilla emerging through the floral meadow notes. Palate: Smooth honey and chewy grains, with a slight funk present throughout. Delicate citrus notes complement the earthy sweetness, along with a pleasing mouthfeel. Finish: A very light caramel character with a musty dampness, similar to wet leaves after rainfall. With dilution: Ripe pears and mossy forest floor on the nose. The palate becomes more intensely sweet, with notes like vanilla fudge and treacle. The finish remains soft, smooth, and somewhat funky.

Substantial mouthfeel with a rich quality, a nice aromatic intensity, and a hint of peat. The barley really stands out during tasting, accompanied by spices (pepper, clove) and a delicious note evolving into banana and chocolate. Barley from 25 local farms. Very precise; it's been a long time since Irish whiskeys pleased me this much! Thank you, Waterford!

The aroma features honey, straw, and beeswax. Each sip reveals a new flavor and evokes a different image. It's a sweet drink, with honey on the palate and a slight alcohol bite, but still smooth and pleasant, not like rye. I didn't add water, but after letting it sit for about 10 minutes, a tobacco aroma and flavor emerged. The finish is dry, quick, light, and soft. This is a perfect dram for a backyard summer evening.

NOSE - Distinct barley leads to fresh notes of orchard apples and citrus, topped with a touch of toffee and honey. TONGUE - A very light tobacco begins an experience of toffee apple, rich grapefruit, and a blend of lemon and sweet citrus. FINISH - A pleasant spice lingers (perhaps a bit too long) with a pleasing hit of barley and honey to conclude.

It tastes to me like a bit of mussels, perhaps lobster? Maybe the butter used with those. A hint of the shells, too, from the seafood.