Eaglesburn 3 Year Old 2016 Sherry Cask Distillery Exclusive
Fanta Orange Extraordinaire
1 086
Review by @markjedi1
- Brand: Eaglesburn
- ABV: 51%
- Batch: Ex-Sherry Hungarian Oak barrel #13
I have already tried a couple of expressions from the young Eaglesburn distillery in Ede, Holland. I must confess, I have a soft spot for this whisky. It all started in 2017 when I tried the one year old spirit Xenna. It was love at first sight. That was later confirmed with both the Peated and the Virgin Oak releases. In October 2019 he bottled a former sherry cask of Hungarian oak that he had filled with his spirit in April 2016. It’s a distillery exclusive, not available in retail. Hence I’m quite honoured that Bart sent me a bottle, so that I could try it before they are all gone. With only 98 bottles available, I don’t think these will last long. What a beautiful deep copper colour. Mouth-watering.
Oh, yes… delicious nose. Dark and sweet on figs and sultanas, but mostly wonderfully fresh citrus notes like pomelo, mandarin and Sevilla oranges. Fanta Orange Extraordinaire. Then some apricot pastry, gainy wood and sniffing tobacco follow. A candy-like note as if from acid candy and gummi bear, yes even cola candy, kicks in.
Full-bodied at a great strength. Immediately very spicy. Think nutmeg and white pepper. You can actually taste the wood, but in this case if gives the malt extra depth. Again all kinds of orange citrus fruit, upholstered by plums and candy. Green grapes, apricots, gooseberries, sultanas. A big sour note rears its head and delivers a nice balance.
The finish is long, warming, sweet and sour. Very satisfying. Furthermore, it makes me long for a second dram.
I think I am slowly starting to grasp Bart’s secret. It’s the spirit! Sure, he uses good wood. Sure, he knows what he is doing. But in both the peated and the virgin oak and now in this sherry cask release I recognize that same, strong, flavorsome spirit. Classy, especially considering the young age. This is only three years old!