Fercullen 21 Year Old 2023 (70cl, 46%)

This is the 2023 release of Fercullen 21 Year Old, an Irish single malt bottled at 46% ABV in a 70cl bottle. It is the second annual edition, and 8,000 bottles were released worldwide. It marries bourbon-matured single malt with whiskeys finished in Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez sherry casks. Master Distiller Paul Corbett chose a stronger sherry influence than before to balance the wood notes of the bourbon maturation. The selection included malt distilled in 2001. It is non-chill-filtered and has no added colour. The nose has honeydew melon, lychee and vanilla fudge, with pear drops and soft leather. The palate brings vanilla fudge and dried fruit, dark chocolate with orange oil, and fresh hazelnuts. The finish holds sweet fudge, glacé cherries and fruitcake, with a drying spice.