Liberator
A Wayward Spirits vatting of ex-bourbon cask single malts from two distilleries aged between 4 and 5 years. The younger whiskey was then finished in an ex-tawny port cask for 9 months, then blended, proofed and bottled in the bonded storehouse on the estate. Bottled at 46% ABV and retailing at €65.
Omar Fitzell Notes
Big burst of flavours here. Very rich. Raspberry, red grapes, with some nuttiness. Musty oak too with a very slightly sour note.
Palate
The fruits on the nose doesn’t transfer to the palate. Malt to the fore with a rich dark chocolate and vanilla. Very evident freshly toasted white bread too.
Finish
Medium finish that delivers a dryness, a cinnamon spice and slight touch of sea salt.
Overall
When I first tried this I wasn’t too impressed to be honest so I left it a while in the glass and I’m glad I did. A short while to oxidize and this rounded quite well. It still has some sharp edges but overall it’s a very interesting and pleasant drink.
Al Higgins notes
Nose
An enticing nose. Reminiscent of some Springbank single malts but with a dominant marzipan note. There’s a spirit-y touch that hints at youthfulness, then some agave, fruit
and nut chocolate and stewed plums.
Palate
More of that marzipan but it’s wrapped up in some milk chocolate with raisins, prunes, and dates on the side. Great
complexity with a nice mouthfeel.
Finish
Long, long, long with cloves, toasty oak and red apples.
Overall
A really clever cask finish. I suspect the base spirit is actually quite young but there’s a complexity here that makes it appear more mature. Delicious stuff!
Omar Fitzell
Omar has been lurking in the background of the Irish Whiskey Industry since 2010 when he started his journey through tasting, enjoying and collecting whiskey. In January 2018 he launched the online blog “That’s Dram Good” which, in those few short months, has become one of the most popular whiskey blogs in Ireland.
You can find him on:
• Twitter – @thatsdramgood
• Facebook – ThatsDramGood
Al Higgins
Over 20 years of experience in drinks retail and a member of the team at the Celtic Whiskey Shop since 2003. Alastair is chief tester and taster at the shop and is also coordinator for the Irish Whiskey Awards. When he is not working he is either training for ultra-marathons, parenting or drumming with his band Le Galaxie.
You can find him on:
• Twitter – @mostlydrinking