Following the very well received M&H Classic (reviewed here), the distillery’s Master Distiller, Tomer Goren, went on to create three permanent expressions, each highlights a cask type used by the distillery to bring out different aspects of its character.
All three are bottled at 46% ABV, and include:
- Elements Red Wine Cask – Matured in barrels from Israeli wineries, and bring out the full wine maturation experience, as opposed to the more stirpped down experince of STR casks.
- Elements Sherry Cask – This whisky was matured in sherry casks seasoned in Jerez exclusively for the distillery using kosher certified sherry, making this the only sherry matured expression with a kosher certification. The question of whisky and non kosher wine/sherry casks is too complex to enter and I’m not a Rabbi, but with a certificate, it really doesn’t matter, now does it?
- Elements Peated – Curiously, we’re lacking the word ‘Cask’ on the label. Also, this expression is the only one of the Elements series that is made by blending the ex-Islay cask matured whisky with ex-bourbon cask whisky. I think not mentioning the cask is leaving the door open for actual M&H peated whisky to be bottled as one of the Elements, either as part of a vatting or on its own. Interesting.
M&H Elements Red Wine Cask (46% ABV, NCF, NC)
Appearance: Gold with a tinge of reddish hue, thin legs running down glass.
Nose: Malt and red fruit, with a hint of vanilla custard and red plums, with hints of honey and spice.
Palate: Sweet attack with red fruit and raisins, followes by gentle wood spices. There’s a tannic dryness on the palate.
Linger: Spicy and warm, with sweetness on the tongue, dryness on the inside of the cheeks and a spicy linger all over and down the gullet.
Conclusion
Extremely drinkable. This might just be my favorite Element, as I do appreciate wine matured whisky.
Very well done M&H, kudus Tomer!
Official sample was provided by M&H Distillery.