Defilement 8 Years Old Chestnut Cask Finish (46.7%, Defilement, 2020)

• ABV: 46.7%
• Age: 8 Years Old
• Bottling: Defilement, Chestnut Cask Finish
• Category: Blended English whisky
• Cost: £48.95
• Origin: n/a
• Vintage: Undeclared

What they say

This right here is an 8 year old whisky released as part of the Defilement series, which has been finished in a new, charred octave cask made from chestnut wood. You’ll note that we simply said “whisky”. Y’see, certain regulations state that a certain famous style of whisky from a certain location known for the spirit can only be aged in oak, which chestnut wood is not. Hence, “whisky”. That doesn’t stop it from being a cracking whisky, mind! The chestnut wood imparts some different notes than you would find in whiskies drawn from traditional oak casks, making this a particularly intriguing sip.

Official tasting notes:

Nose: Petrichor richness blends with drying woody notes, alongside a touch of fragrant lavender.

Palate: Dried fruit notes begin to take shape on the palate, with sultana and raisin at the fore. A clean, vegetal hint of eucalyptus develops, with continued woody hints.

Finish: Freshly cut timber and a touch of brown sugar sweetness.

Overall: A unique expression, with the chestnut wood introducing its own individual style to the flavour profile.

What I say

Dram #5 from WOLS 2020 T8 Cask Finishes Tasting. Now here is something with a different flavour profile altogether! I think the colour had me guessing heavy sherry but the notes didn’t confirm.

My tasting notes:

• Appearance: Dark golden brown (15/20), large tears and thick legs.
• Nose: Nutty and buttery, raisin, plum, dried fruit, toffee
• Taste: Fruity and spicy on the palate, waxed red apples, plums, chocolate, toffee apple, cinnamon, polished cherry’s/maraschino and touch of coffee.
• Finish: Long, eucalyptus and menthol.

Overall

Hah a curve ball in the form of this Chestnut wood cask, whilst distinctly not oak, but then again this is not Scotch, it is a blended English whisky so I’m unsure if English whisky regulations exist or preclude the use of other wood (much like Irish chestnut casked whiskey sampled previously). Something a little different and very tasty!

Score 84/100

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