Dark cherry | Mixed nuts | Leather | Extremely subtle

Walnut | Aged seasoned oak | Leather | Cinnamon | Raisin | Slightly tannic | Rich

Baking spices | Oak tannins | Leather | Tobacco | Hint of caramel | Dry on the backend

World Whiskey Society markets itself as a “Limited Release Company,” producing a wide range of unique whiskeys bottled in eye-catching packaging. They group their products under collections, with their latest 12 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished in Amontillado Casks (Edition #15) being part of The Reserve Collection, which features similar style Gargoyle bottles (among others) and a variety of finishes. This particular bottle is exclusively available through the company’s World Whiskey Society subscription, and is release #003.

Amontillado is a type of sherry that’s known to be darker than fino sherry, but lighter than oloroso sherry. It originates from the Montilla region in Andalusia, Spain, with roots dating back to the 18th century. Amontillado is naturally dry and is generally characterized by having flavors of nuts, tobacco, toffee, and spice.

World Whiskey Society 12 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished in Amontillado Casks is an incredibly dynamic whiskey with layer upon layer of flavor. Surprisingly, the aroma is extremely subtle, bordering on nonexistent, but a deep inhale brings light pleasant scents of dark cherry, mixed nuts, and leather. The whiskey opens up significantly on the palate, with a tidal wave of rich flavors that run the gamut of sweet fruit and raisin to savory leather and aged seasoned oak, among others. The whiskey transitions towards dry on the finish, with flavors veering in the direction of its more savory side. Overall, this makes for an exciting and dynamic whiskey, albeit one that forgoes balance for intensity and diversity of flavors. 

The bourbon in review is bottle number 143 of 359.