I recently purchased a few whiskies that a friend grabbed for me out West, two of which were split and one I kept for myself out of curiosity because it was a pretty good deal for a 22 year old blended malt at cask strength aged in what appears like sherry casks.

It’s also a blend from a newer IB called North Star Spirits who I’ve had a few drams from already including the Ralfy.com 10th Anniversary bottling of 11 year old sherried Glenrothes. North Star are quite young but Iain Croucher, the owner, had been around for a while as an ambassador for A.D. Rattray before setting out on his own to put out a unique range of whiskies all of which are bottled at cask strength.

So in hindsight the angels must’ve loved this blend as it only came out to 43.9% ABV after only 22 years in American and European oak casks. Let’s see if I feel the same!

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Age: 22 Years

Region: Blend

Cask Type(s): European and American Oak

ABV: 43.9%

No. of Bottles: 1205

Maturation Time: 1996/2019

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• Colour: Light Amber
• Nose: Very rich and almost lacquer like with fresh ginger, brandy chocolate bonbons, buttercream, caramel glazed hazelnuts, toffee, potent cinnamon spice and simple syrup
• Palate: Starts off with a big burst of raisin bread pudding, then builds into more cinnamon and nutmeg, a tiny bit of heat, then fresh cream, powdered sugar, creamy caramels, apple jelly, pear drops, orange marmalade, lemon cubes and more chocolate covered treenuts
• Finish: Medium to Long with lingering woodspices, caramel, tree sap, grass and date squares

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A very well put together blend of modestly mature sherried whiskies. The heat can be a bit much, even with this whisky clocking just under 44% ABV, but even then the balance is fantastic. The lacquer nose opens into a wonderful dry dessert palate with bread pudding, raisins and an assortment of fruits with an earthy finish well measured with hits of fresh date squares. For $150 CAD this is a wonderful whisky and I wish I could get more because this is close to a daily drinker for a 22 year old whisky at this price. Keep putting out great stuff like this North Star!

86/100