Millstone 12 Oloroso Sherry Cask

Thanks to the Toronto Whisky Society for hosting this event, and to /u/devoz for picking out the lineup.

Final whisky of this tasting. And here I am, ready to sit back… Oh, what? We had a last minute cancellation from the person who was going to explain Millstone and I have to explain it now? Oh, goody!

So during my quick “oh, what do I know about Millstone” Google search on the way, I found out something pretty cool: Turns out all of the sherry casks that they use are first fill, 40 to 50 years old, and are converted from 500 litres down to 250 litres.

That’s pretty cool. And quite pertinent, because for the last whisky we had Millstone 12 Oloroso Sherry Cask. This whisky was aged for eight years in ex-bourbon casks before being given a second maturation of four years in one of these old, first fill casks that have been coopered down.

Also: The distillation/bottling date below is me trying to figure out the writing. Due to my own great vision (see: probably my worst of the traditional five senses) it seems to be older than 12 years, but I think that’s time rubbing off the numbers.

Very few places talk about that. I wonder what it’ll do? Let’s see, shall we?

Price: N/A

Region: Netherlands

Distillation Date: 23.10.2000

Bottling Date: 29.03.16

Cask Type: Oloroso sherry cask

Abv: 46%

Colour: 2.5Y 8/8

Nose: Cranberry, orange, raisin, nutmeg

Wow, for something this light (not cask strength), this certainly has strong sherry flavours. As I said after having this, we live in a time where the sherry bombs are getting scarce.

Lots of cranberry, orange, raisin, and just a bit of spice. It’s missing some of that whisky influence I would like though.

Taste: Hazelnut, raisin, orange, limeade

Nutty and spritiness bring us back to the whisky world again. Again, bit sherry flavours, this time with whisky influence on it.

Lighter than the nose would denote. I think the lighter alcohol content is at play here.

Finish: Lime, cinnamon, cereal/honey, algae

I do enjoy the direction the finish when here. More citrus based, more of the malt shining through, but just enough of the spice.

If you were looking for those big Xmas flavours to pop up at the end, I’m sorry to disappoint, but this is more of the ex-bourbon element, and less ho ho for you.

Conclusion: A lighter sherry forward dram. Really interesting to see these older first fill casks at work. It doesn’t take over, and really punches above its weight/abv.

As for if you should buy this, that’s a pretty simple idea: Do you like heavy sherry influences? Do you enjoy Oloroso whiskies? If so, then yes. You buy this. No questions asked. It’s nearly Xmas.

If there’s ever a cask strength version, you buy it again. I’m not even a fan of Oloroso “finishes” normally, and I really enjoyed this.

81/100

World Whisky review #337, Netherlands review #4, Whisky Network review #1600