Only a few months back we sampled Old Line Spirits’ American single malts in two finishes: Port cask and Madeira cask. Now it’s time for a third rendition, which is returning to production after a brief hiatus. This 100% malted barley whiskey is aged for five years in #4 charred new American white oak and then spends an additional year in oloroso sherry casks.
Let’s give it a go.
The sherry pops on the nose from the moment the first glass is poured and before you can even get your nose into it. Breathing deep reveals classic sherry aromatics ranging from roasted nuts to citrus peel to Christmas spices. If you ignored the color — which is a deep amber hue — you might be able to convince yourself you’re smelling an old, sherried Scotch.
At times both burly and fruity on the palate, the whiskey ping-pongs between burly notes of hemp rope and stewed fruits, coming across as slightly dusty at times, with elements of cigar box, clove-studded oranges, and dried figs all in a swirl. There’s a slight Port-like influence here that plays nicely with the more classic sherry profile, culminating in a finish that doubles down on dried orange peel and toasty walnuts, before finally segueing into elements of tea leaf and cola.
Ultimately I like this just a bit less than the Port finished expression, but it still stands as a solid example of what America can do with the single malt style — and a bit of patience.
100 proof. Reviewed: Bottling date February 2023.
A- / $70 / oldlinespirits.com
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