Batches : Bimber Oloroso Small Batch

Distilleries often release whisky in batches, the same name but subtly different recipes, ABVs, maturation periods etc. In this occasional series I'm going to review a number of different Batches in my Side-by-side format to see if I can detect any differences, does each batch get better or are they to all intents and purposes the same?

Whilst they strive towards a core bottling @BimberLondon continue to release single casks and small batches of ex-bourbon, peated, re-charred oak and Oloroso casks. Let's see how the Oloroso small batches compare.

Each batch has been a release of between 920 and 975 bottles at an ABV of between 51.2% and 51.7% from a sprit first matured in 1st Fill Bourbon barrels then finished for 4-5 months in Oloroso barrels.

Dram	Batch 01 / 2020	Batch 02 / 2020	Batch 03 / 2020	Batch 04 / 2021
Characteristics	51.4% ABV Natural colour, NCF B: 3 Jun '20 950 bottles	51.7% ABV Natural colour, NCF B: 28 Aug '20 920 bottles	51.4% ABV Natural colour, NCF B: 28 Oct '20 980 bottles	51.2% ABV Natural colour, NCF B: 22 Mar '21 975 bottles
Distillery notes	There's a little bit of confusion on official tasting notes for these releases, I don't think there are separate ones for each batch. The oloroso cask finishing period is between 4 and 5 months for each batch - I think it's longer for each batch. Initially matured in first-fill ex-bourbon casks to create layers of creamy vanilla and caramel, it was finished in Spanish oloroso sherry casks, giving notes of fruitcake and walnuts that linger in the finish. Nose: Plump raisins and dried berries sit with vanilla cream, malt loaf and gingerbread men whilst dusty cinnamon joins a French crepe with a squeeze of lemon juice. Palate: Silky in texture with crushed red berries and quince jelly enriched by chocolate sauce and cracked walnuts. Banana bread and cinnamon swirls join golden syrup while roasted pineapples are tempered by fresh sweet sherry. Finish: Lingering ginger and anise spicing alongside fading berry sweetness.
My thoughts:
Appearance
	Mid gold in the glass, swirls cling as a thick line and fall as slow thin legs.	Light gold in the glass, swirls cling as a thick line and fall as slow thin legs.	Mid gold in the glass, swirls cling as a thick line and fall as slow thin legs.	Light gold in the glass, swirls cling as a thick line and fall as slow thin legs.
Nose	Strawberry jam, honey, marzipan and a little dried fruit. There's a little artificial perfume note and some citrus zest. Going back to 01 after nosing the other three and the artificial note is more pronounced.	There's much more fruit on the nose with this one compared to 01. Red berries and stewed pears mix with honey and almonds. This one noses a little drier.	Again more fruit than 01, berries, pears and some plums. There is a little more complexity to this one - some chocolate and toffee notes alongside the honey.	This one is a step up from the previous three: dried fruit, Christmas spices, plums, dates and a hint of musty dunnage warehouse - a longer finishing period or more active cask?
Palate	Thick sweet syrupy arrival, strawberry jam, honey, marzipan and sherry. The ABV makes itself known, burning the throat on the way down. There's some citrus and tropical fruit notes of pineapple and mango with a big kick of ginger spice. Drying as the liquid disappears.	Again a thick sweet syrupy arrival, this one has a little burnt oak note as it covers the tongue. Strawberry jam, dried fruit, almonds and honey followed by a little citrus and then the ginger spice kicks in. Little else in the way of tropical fruit. There's some curry spices and a hint of chocolate - very drying.	Similar to 02 with this strange burnt oak note - it's nice - not off putting - not something I've come across before. The jam, dried fruit and note notes from 02 are here along with the chocolate and toffee notes from the nose - very sweet - very dry. A few more sips offer chocolate orange notes,  gingerbread and cardamom spice.	The same sweet thick syrupy arrival as the previous three, less sweeter maybe? The burnt oak note has gone, replaced by chocolate. There's a lot more dried fruit influence: raisins, sultanas alongside some dates and figs. A little honey and there's Christmas spices: nutmeg and cinnamon; rather than the cardamom. Very drying.
Finish	Short sweet and spicy - honey and ginger. Burns.	Medium length - curry spices and marzipan.	Medium length - curry spices, chocolate orange and dried fruit.	Lingering dried fruit, Christmas spices and a little honey.
Overall	I'm guessing that the whisky gets a little older as each batch is released, the complexity of each is increasing as we go along. Maybe the finishing period in the Sherry Cask is a little longer in each, definitely seems so in Batch 04. To be honest 01 seemed a little artificial, maybe it's youthfulness giving it a rough edge with a little burn? It may have taken a little water but I only had a 30ml sample to try. Batch 02 was better, still a little rough but full of fruit notes and spice - the spice seemed curry led (this followed on to Batch 03). There was an unusual burnt oak note, like cask char or peat smoke hint on the palate - again very drying. Batch 02 also brought a lovely nut note - almonds and/or marzipan bringing back memories of Christmas which carried on through 02 and 04. Batch 03 is where there's a little step change - a little more complex - lovely notes of fruit , chocolate and toffee - maybe a little older or a longer finishing period? Chocolate orange and gingerbread notes suggest a longer finishing or a more active cask. Whichever it is we are getting a much more interesting whisky. Batch 04 takes another step change - the sherry influence is much more pronounced than previously - some dunnage warehouse notes even! Less honey and more dried fruit and strawberry jam. The spices turn from curry to Christmas and the dram gets drier. For me it's simple, they get better as they go along, 01 and 02 are maybe a little rough but 03 is better and 04 is really good. I can't wait to see what 05 is like - if I can get a bottle!

Many thanks to @Garsonii for the chance to try these drams!