HYDE No.6 1938
An 18 year old triple distilled Single Malt with 8 year old Single Grain which were both originally aged in flame charred American Bourbon barrels and then married together for a further 9 months of finishing in Spanish, Vintage, toasted, Oloroso sherry cask Butts. Limited to 5,000 bottles, bottled at 46% ABV. Retailing at €49.49.
Omar Fitzell Notes
Pleasant sweet nose with a floral influence from the grain which I would say straight off makes up the largest of the two components. The floral note is akin to potpourri. Honey, caramel and vanilla all there in abundance.
Palate:
Slight touch of red berry leads the way with a very light mouthfeel and spice to it. Vanilla there with some milk chocolate. This really benefits from a slight drop of water. It opens up the sherry influence and changes this for the better with more concentrated notes of cinnamon and apple coming out of nowhere.
Finish:
Very short, mellow and uninspiring if I’m honest.
Overall:
Slight drop of water turned this from a “meh” take it or leave it whiskey into a decent enough drop. It’s an easy to drink uncomplicated whiskey that is pleasant to nose and sip.
Al Higgins notes
Nose:
Quite grain dominated. A little fragile and prickly. Vanilla, citrus, agave, quince and lemon.
Palate:
Delicate, and very fruity. Delicious flavours of fruit salad confectionery, pink grapefruit, mango, dried papaya and pineapple.
Finish:
Soft and massively fruity.
Overall:
A real surprise. The palate explodes with fruit flavours that really weren’t expected. I really enjoyed this.
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