The Cheshire Single Malt Whisky 5 Year Old Sherry Cask, 70cl
This is another five-year-old release of The Cheshire, and it takes a richer, darker direction. Weetwood distil it from Maris Otter, a barley variety better known to brewers than distillers, and soft Cheshire water. Maturation began in fire-toasted, single-use ex-bourbon quarter casks. Small casks give the spirit a lot of contact with the oak, and that is where the vanilla and toffee come from. It was then finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks shipped fresh from Spain, which add raisins, poached prunes and a dark, sticky sweetness.
Nose: Caramelised pineapple and dark chocolate, followed by oak, dried fruit and rich toffee.
Palate: Creamy and full. Raisins and poached prunes, oaky vanilla and a rich sherry sweetness.
Finish: Long and bittersweet, with spiced baked apple and a touch of oak.
We think this suits drinkers who enjoy a sherried whisky but still want to taste the barley underneath; the bourbon quarter casks stop it from becoming all fig and raisin. At 46% Alc., it works neat, and a drop of water is there if you want it. Bottled at natural colour and without chill filtration, it is one of only 1,071 bottles.
Weetwood began as a brewery in Kelsall, Cheshire, and that brewing background shows in the choice of Maris Otter and in the attention paid to the casks. For a limited, five-year-old English single malt with a Pedro Ximénez finish, we think it is good value for what is in the glass.
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