Penderyn 7 Year SMWS 128.8 “Fruity delight”
Whisky : Penderyn 7 Year SMWS 128.8 “Fruity delight”
Country/Region : Wales
ABV : 60.9%
Cask : First Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel
Age : 7 Years (Distilled 12 July 2011)
Nose : Absolutely bursting with ripe fruit and thick syrup. Bramble berry tea, grapefruit, and a whole buffet of tropical fruits: lychee, rambutans, longan, and dragon fruits. The complex layers of fruits give way to sugary-grassy pandan, honey, and caramel along with a glazed fruit salad. Fruity desserts come back with floral vanilla, overripe passionfruit, ʻākala (Hawaiian raspberries), and almond float.
Palate : Platter of ripe tropical fruits with a thick fruity punch on the side. Everything from the nose is present in spades; rambutan, lychee, lilikoi, longan, almond float. Pastry and cream notes lend the impression of a lilikoi (passionfruit) creme brûlée with lovely caramelized sugars hiding a tart fruity cream. Salt pops in the mid-palate along with a Werther’s Caramel Coffee candy. Creamy mango candies reprise on the end with sweet coffee.
Finish : Lingering coffee candies, fruit punch concentrate, and mango Hi-Chews.
Score : 9
Mental Image : Tropical Fruit Cup
Something Similar : Arran 16Y R&BT (similar tropical fruits, more malt/mineral notes)
Something Worse : Glen Grant 25Y; Gordon & MacPhail (similar tropical fruits, less body/finish)
Something Worse : Glenlossie 11Y SMWS 46.76 (similar Werther’s candy, more citrus/ malty sugars)
Notes : This was black magic— a nostalgic blend of retro fruity desserts. There was so much going on with this malt it was unreal. Immensely popular at a virtual tasting a few months ago, it had quite a few fans who were left longing for a bottle to have all to themselves. We almost did not include this in our tasting, Penderyn is not a well known distillery here, and it was a bit pricey for a seven year single malt. However, it was well worth it and I am very happy I insisted we include it. This was just so thick and fruity there is nothing I would change about it. The finish just went on and on so that every sip was savored. Really an excellent bottle and while it is hard to imagine I will find another Penderyn like this, I will certainly be on the lookout.
