Milk & Honey 4 Year Old 2018 for The Barrel Baron

This is already the second single cask that Marcel Kip – aka The Barrel Baron – bottles from this Israeli distillery. I had the privilege of judging a sample as early as June 2022. And now that it’s finally here, I'm very eager to re-taste it. This time it concerns a four-year-old malt that spent its life on an ex-Islay cask. Please take note of the alcohol percentage. And another tip in advance: pour it into your glass and let it catch its breath for five minutes. Let's get started!

Delicious nose that nicely keeps the middle between sweet and peaty. On the one hand a lot of vanilla, buttercups, marzipan and apple cake, but also pineapple and grapefruit. On the other hand, potpourri, ferns and a delicious sweet and sour smokiness – somewhat subdued – that betrays the Scottish mecca. Absolutely amazing. Adding water does not change much to the profile on the nose. I think that is very good news.

If approached with the necessary respect, it does not need water at all, despite the towering ABV. Of course, it comes in with a big kick against the teeth, but not insurmountable for active salivary glands. The fruit holds up perfectly, while the former Islay barrel adds a hefty smokiness and almost agrum-like touch. Grapefruit and lime juice take on young apples, juicy pears and that one lost apricot. Gooseberries, rosemary and licorice watch from the sidelines. Adding a few drops of water makes the malt seem a bit creamier, but fortunately it does not lose any complexity.

The finish – excuse me: the Finish – is the absolute pinnacle of this taste sensation. Even diluted.

Excellent cask selection (yes, I am proud to have been able to contribute to this) of a beautiful, young malt that is becoming increasingly dear to my heart.