Penderyn 6 Year (Moscatel de Setubal finish)

 

Penderyn is a Welsh whisky that is off the radar of most drinkers and drammers, but hopefully that changes - this is lovely, well-made stuff. Previously I had a 9 year sherried bottle that I truly loved. When the chance came about to buy this 6 year Moscatel-finished whisky, I jumped on it. 

Moscatel de Setubal is a sweet wood-aged dessert wine from the south of Portugal, quasi-monopolized by the famous Fonseca wine group. I don't know how long this whisky spent in the Moscatel cask, but the result just lovely. Bottled from a single cask at 60.8% ABV, no color, no filter. Let's explore this wonderful whisky: 

Nose: Sweet orange blossom, fresh flowers, grape vines and stems (!), orange flesh, fresh pepper, soil, and freshly cooked meat. After some time, stewed red fruit (plums et al) comes out. A truly wild and interesting nose. 

Mouthfeel: Resinous. 

Palate: Brighter than the nose - citrus (orange, lemon, lime), white wine zest, grapes, soil, wood, and hay. 

Finish: Very farmy - hay, straw, tart fruit jerky, salt, pepper, and nice wood. 

Verdict: A very unusual and very interesting whisky that toes the line between fruity and earthy. The offsetting vegetal note that seems persistent in Penderyn is so odd at first, and then something really pleasant and more-ish. I can hardly get enough! Dangerous. This would be great for anyone who really liked Highland scotch (a la Edradour, perhaps). A wonderful distillery single cask offering. Highly recommended.