Westland Single Cask Release 2549

All notes recorded after diluting from 60% ABV to approximately 40% ABV. Visually very pale, especially after adding water to reach about 40% ABV. Aroma: Orchard fruits like apples and pears, vanilla, and spice. Hints of honey and cinnamon raisin oatmeal. Palate: Initial sweetness is immediately countered by bitterness, almost like Irish whiskey. A malty fullness spreads across the back of the mouth and sides of the tongue. Spice is very prominent. Finish: Malty with some lingering oak notes at the back of the mouth. I'm finding it difficult to summarize this one as I'm not detecting a broad spectrum of flavors or a very rich presence overall. Nevertheless, it's enjoyable, and the experience of filling it from the barrel certainly enhanced it!

Very light straw color. Diluted to about 40% from 60%. Smell: Really nice with flower scents, apples, and pears. Some leather too. Taste: Strong alcohol, needs a bit of water. Starts with honey sweetness. Then some spice and a unique, interesting muskiness. Aftertaste: Lasts a long time with musky and leathery hints that stick around. Enjoying this for a good while after finishing. Great taste, but still a bit rough and tastes quite young.