At Cinderella Whisky Fair 2019 I tasted some of the products from the Finnish distillery The Helsinki Distilling Company. Last week I wrote about The Helsinki Distilling Company release VYS #8 Rum Cask Finish.
Todays whiskey is an exclusive release for Viking Line. The grain combination is 70 percent rye and 30 percent barley. The whiskey has been matured in American virgin oak casks before it was given a finish in Oloroso casks. It is bottled at 56,6 ABV. I tasted from bottle 55/60.
I tasted this one at the same time as the one given a rum cask finish. The whiskeys have both been matured in new American oak casks at first, which means it is only the finish the separates them.
A heavy and oaky sweetness meets the nose. It almost smells a bit meaty! I get overripe apricots and dried figs, and broth. So rich on the palate! Oaky and spicy. And sweet. Licorice, prunes and dark caramel. Ginger, black and white pepper. Nutty and oily on the finish. It lingers with a warm and spicy taste.
My score: nose 21 / palate 22 / finish 21 / balance 22 = 86
Thanks, Mikko & Séamus!
-Tone
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