My week of new release reviews will conclude here with Penderyn’s Sherrywood and Peated whiskies.
Penderyn “Sherrywood,” (06/2008 release), 46%, $70
The original Penderyn is finished in Madeira casks. I like the original better (which I rated an 84), as it tastes more mature and the Madeira seems to dovetail better with the other flavors. Fruity (red raspberry, strawberry, banana), with underlying sweet notes (honeyed vanilla, caramel, a hint of butterscotch). Quick, clean finish. Maybe this whisky just needed a little more aging for everything to come together?Advanced Malt Advocate magazine rating: 79
Penderyn “Peated” (12/2009 release), 46%, $70
My feelings here are the same as for the Sherrywood: it comes across as younger and less mature than the original Madeira wood finish version. This one has some peat smoke in the mix. Malty sweet (with some graham cracker, nougat, and hints of butterscotch), peppered with light smoke. Quick, lightly smoky finish.Advanced Malt Advocate magazine rating: 77
Never crossed a Penderyn who impressed me… This one is no exception.
I’ve always been curious about the original– lots of people say it’s pretty good, but the price point holds me off… Love to get a taste, though. Some people have really loved that peated one, which I think has been around outside the US for a while. Wonder if any of them would speak up.
I liked the original well enough. A bit over priced IMO, but I was happy with the experience. I haven’t tried any others.
Have to agree with John on this. The original is pretty interesting (although nothing to get too excieted about). I felt, though, that Penderyn had something that was worth working on and could become really worthwhile. So I was hoping the Sherrywood would add a nice dimension (and I’m a sucker for sherried malts).
What I found was a pretty lacklustre result. Any of the original’s bite was smoothed over without any new flavours being added. The finish was very short and empty.
Might be a bit facetious of me to call it sugary alcohol-water, but that was the overall impression I was left with.
C’mon Penderyn you can do better than this!!