96.41 The ‘Iberian’ (Creators Collection)

Description

From the team

This collection brings together two casks from distillery 96. The whisky in both Cask No. 96.41: The Iberian and Cask No. 96.42: The American was filled to cask on 18 November 1994 and matured for 28 years in oloroso sherry butts. After 28 years we decided to send them on separate journeys, with a period of additional maturation in two first fill Pedro Ximénez casks — one in American oak, the other in Spanish.

These final years of maturation reveal the contrast in oak character through the lens of our (new) Dried Fruits & Spices flavour profile. While Cask 96.42 The American leans into soft orchard fruits, pastry, and honeyed warmth, Cask 96.41 The Iberian offers rich spice, dark berries, sandalwood, and leather. Each whisky can stand alone — but side by side, they form a portrait: one distillery, one age and two sherry paths that create one complete picture.

Tasting Panel notes

An intriguing melange of aromas excited the Panel. The scent of sandalwood and cedar was joined by well-brushed leather boots, tobacco and aged plum brandy. On the palate we found layer upon layer of dark fruits such as blackcurrants and blackberries spiced with a chilli jam of cloves, ginger, star anise and demerara sugar. Following a drop of water we were served a slice of toasted stollen with butterscotch sauce next to spiced sultana griddle scones. To taste, damson and sloe gin jam accompanied maple syrup on thick American pancakes. Following 28 years in an ex-oloroso butt, we transferred this whisky into a first fill Spanish oak PX butt.