96.42 The ‘American’ (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

This was transferred from an oloroso butt into a first fill American oak PX butt after 28 years. Amazingly, the sherry influence is not overstated – it seemed to occupy ‘a day in the life’ (happy version); a breakfast of mango slices, cinnamon buns and coffee, then to work – pencil case and writing bureau (on waxed parquet flooring). A walk in the country (earthy, distant wood smoke) to have tea with a friend. After dinner an opulent dessert (chocolate cake, pear frangipane tart) rounded off with a sip of calvados and a rummage in the tobacco pouch. Not a bad day, all in all. Night night.