Today we have two blended single malt ex-sherry-butt whiskies, one from Japanese importer e-Power, the other from Cadenhead’s Warehouse tastings lines.
ePower Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 17 for Kurashiki Whisky Forum 2019 / 46.6% / ¥15,000
Tasted neat
This is a rare bottle of just 120 released for 2019 Kurashiki Whiskey Forum, held in Okayama prefecture Japan. Not much is known except that it’s 17 years old, and from a Sherry Butt.
- Color: auburn (1.5)
- Nose: nail polish, roast pears, sherry, molasses, and strawberry jam
- Taste: christmas spice, malt, cola, and a little tannin
- Finish: slightly minty, long residual sweetness
Things that I liked about this blend include an age statement, higher than 40/43% ABV, and the small-scope release. However, it’s a very boring sherry blend without much richness or complexity, and priced at least three times what it should be. If I hadn’t been forced to buy it to get a very desired bottle as a bundle, I don’t think I’d have picked this up.
Rating: 76/100
Cadenhead’s Club 1998 Blended Scotch Whisky 21 / 44.7% / £87
Tasted neat
This Cadenhead’s Club “Warehouse Tasting” bottle is a blended scotch whisky, distilled in 1998, and matured in a Sherry Butt. Not much else is disclosed on the spartan label, but it has good colour and an affordable price.
- Color: russet (1.3)
- Nose: cognac, sherry, bread, nutmeg, and sliced pears
- Taste: bright sherry, maple syrup, baked apples, and vanilla
- Finish: medium, cracked leather, beef jerky, and cream
This is quite a lovely age-statement blend, Cadenhead is really able to put out some nicely affordable blends; I look forward to trying more of them in the future.
Rating: 88/100
