Pradlo Distillery Hammerhead 23 Year Old 1989

I tried the Hammerhead 21 Year Old 1989 before and have to admit that I was not very impressed with it. So I wonder if the extra two years of maturation will have changed this Czech whisky enough to change my mind. There is only one way to find out of course. Let me just add a tidbit of knowledge by saying that the name was derived from the hammer mill that they use to mill the Czech barley.

The nose is quite vegetal with a hefty touch of wood. Underneath some fruit emerges. Oranges, pears and even some plums. Nice hint of almonds, almost marzipan. A touch of beeswax, gingerbread and Turkish Delight. I am actually quite pleasantly surprised.

It is quite creamy on the palate and mouth coating. Almost syrupy in fact. Sweet liqueur of plums with some aniseed and cinnamon, but also cloves. The oranges turn into bergamot. A teaspoon of honey and a twig of mint. Plums again. There is also a slight bitterness of the wood.

Long finish with loads of spices, but with a fresh ending.

Wow, who would have thought? This is actually quite good. Would this be the same spirit that simply matured for two more years. A bit hard to believe. But why not? Nice!