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.