Milk & Honey Staying a-Live Tel Aviv 2020

This special bottling was released for Whisky Live Tel Aviv in full lockdown. That is why this single cask release is sometimes called the 'Covid Edition'. That is why an M&H mouth mask was included in the packaging. Marketing – it's a separate craft. It is a release of only 100 bottles, all from an Israeli red wine barrel.

The nose is... not easy, I must confess. I have to get used to this. I get marzipan and a lot of earthy notes, supplemented with raspberries and lychee, apricots and the bark of young trees. Even a hint of white chocolate and mocha. There is a lot to discover here, but it seems as if they are at odds with each other instead of complementing each other.

Great body, but a lot of tannin. Although the red fruit tries to sweeten things, it is mainly slightly bitter and drying notes that make me pull faces for a while, but above all make me long for a glass of water. That is – for me at least – not a good sign.

The finish is particularly long and spicy, but effectively leaves your mouth bone dry.

This is too bitter and especially too dry for my liking.