Smells like a pear/apple wine spritzer, with some cotton candy. It's a refreshing nose for a whisky. The palate -- awww, booo. It's so watery. Flavor itself is okay, and is actually exactly what you'd expect from the nose in moderation. There's no notable peat or sherry influence -- yeah I know what it says on the bottle, but I think the "unique combination of bourbon and sherry casks" on this one means there is "uniquely little sherry." Anyhow, it's just kind of weak and fruity, with some spice. Fine, but whatever.
Seasoned with sherry? Did they toss a pinch of sherry dust to be distributed over a million barrels? Let me translate the bottle for you: "Sherry casks are expensive, so we'll try to pass off cheaper bourbon barrels as something special." They ended up with the Obama's bowling version "special" instead.
Pears with a kind of nasty tang. It all feels to watery anyhow.
Nose is butter on warm pancakes. Very nice. Palate is more vanilla, spice, oak. Now getting bourbon on the nose. Water makes it sweeter. Brings out caramel and toffee. Finish is burnt toffee. Clearly young and spirity. Seems like whisky that would like some more time in the cask.
Palate: More white wine, Lemon Peel Citrus, Watery and blech!
Finish: Bitter, Dry, Tangy, Dry Riesling on the back of my tongue... ugh.
I like the traditional Sherry style Macallans a lot - I think for such a large operation they produce a very consistent and well crafted whisky across the board. However, this 10 Year old Fine Oak... my word, it's not good. I was so disturbed I had to pour myself some Macallan Cask Strength right after (like an antidote) in order to right myself. Stay away from this stuff.
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