Dingle Austria Edition – Briana’s Choice

The first 500 casks of this start up distillery went to aficionados, investors, clubs and collectors and this is one of those, bottled by the club Potstill Austria. It was labeled Briana’s Choice, but I have no idea who Brianna is. President of the club? Anyway, this is a single sherry cask that yielded 316 bottles at cask strength and the liquid has a fine copper color, while it fills the room with a wonderful smell.

The nose is a lovely and surprisingly soft mix of dark and sweet but also sour fruity notes. Think figs and sultanas versus blood oranges and grapefruit. Dark caramel and nutmeg offer both sweet and spicy notes, but the nose does not burn. The sherry is unmistakable. Apricot pastry, mashed banana with chocolate sauce and a pinch of salt. This is complex and intriguing.

The arrival is equally surprisingly soft… however… as soon as it has settled on the palate, the spices go to work. Chili pepper, candied ginger, nutmeg and cloves turn it nicely warm, while figs, oranges and black grapes in a stew soften things up. Chocolate and some Turkish Delight kick in, before some nut liqueur puts its foot down. Finally a good dose of cherry juice. Again complex, certainly if you consider the fact that this is only about 5 years old. Admittedly, the sherry cask plays an important role here.

The finish is more of the same: dark and sweet, feisty on spices and very long. The juice of fresh cherries lingers the longest, making for a candy-like death.

Well, well, my first Dingle, but certainly not my last! Intriguing malt. Thanks, Marcel.