Velvet Hammer
Nose: Polished furniture, strong bourbon notes, pencil shavings. Sweet, natural wood sugars. The longer you nose it, the more bourbon-like it becomes.
Palate: Surprisingly punchy on the palate – more alcohol than the nose prepared me for. But not aggressive. Bright American oak. Not as sweet as the nose sets up for, reminiscent of high-cocoa dark chocolate.
Finish: A slightly bitter-sweet note emerges, like the bitterness of charred oak, or charred rendered fat on the barbie.
Comments: An incredible nose that betrays its bourbon origins, and loads of alcohol and power – it’s no shrinking violet. Bitter/sweet interplay is intriguing, but not sure the balance is quite right?
Andrew Derbidge
Director & Cellarmaster
NSW Manager
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society