Domaine des Hautes Glaces Wild Nature N°12 8 Year Old, Vin Jaune Cask, Cask #234, 2016, Swell de Spirits, 56.3%

There’s an unusual tension here: farmhouse funk and silage meet a palate of overripe fruit, tarte tatin and barbecued pineapple. That gives the whisky a distinctive, busy character rather than a straightforward sweet-fruit direction. The finish brings aniseed twists and funky silage together with white chocolate and creamy biscuits, a contrast that sounds especially appealing. Its length isn’t described, so the character—not an assumed lingering finish—is what makes this one stand out.

Reviewed by BluehourSoda

Nose

Farmhouse funk, Silage, Manure, Warmed horses, Hay, Rubber boots, Dunnage, Chalk, Holiday brochures, Chicken and sweet corn soup, Clove candy

Palate

Farmhouse funk, Overripe apples and pears, Apple tarte tatin, Barbecued pineapple, Copper coins, Raspberry jam, Honeydew melon, Peaches, Comforting callaloo soup

Finish

Aniseed twists, Funky silage, White chocolate, Creamy biscuits