Sullivans Cove French Oak Cask

Tasted in Whisky Magazine Issue 55 by Dave Broom and Arthur Motley.

Whisky Magazine is the perfect complement to the dram in your glass. Every issue brings you fascinating articles on the art, science and romance of the 'water of life', plus page after page of tasting notes.

• Issue 55 online • Buy issue 55 (£5.95)
• Subscribe to Whisky Magazine (from £28.38)
• Preview current issue (72) • Preview other issues online

Tasting Notes

Dave Broom Nose A somewhat alarming Lucozade-like colour. Vegetal, with notes of hamster cage, sunflower seed, then masses of oak. Palate HUGE, sweet oak extract. Leather laid over charred wood and a machine-oil note that brings to mind a cooperage workbench. Finish A bit grubby. Comment Here’s oak being used as a Romulan cloaking device to hide young(?) spirit. I can see what they’re trying to do, but this needs tweaking.

Arthur Motley Nose Grapes, rye bread, bruised cooking apples. With water up comes some chemical stinkiness, like boat diesel. Gooseberries and marzipan. Palate Rye, earthiness and rubber tyres. Intense. Finish Lots of European oak rubberiness, like gnawing on a Wellington boot. Comment A dirty, grizzly thing which dolls out some rough, tough flavours. Be (slightly) delighted and (mostly) disgusted all at the same time. Never ever boring, but very far from perfect.