@WhiskySussex, or SWAG as they like to be know, organise regular virtual tastings, this is the first one I've been able to join, it featured @milkhoneywhisky
The tasting was hosted by recently recruited @ShiltonAlmeida
M&H distillery was founded in 2012 in Tel Aviv, it was Israel's first whisky distillery and like many newer distilleries benefitted from the support of the late Dr. Jim Swan. The distillery moved site in 2015.
The distillery uses an Israel-designed one-tonne mash tun with UK unpeated barley and UK and Czech peated barley. They fill 4 Israel-built stainless steel fermentation tanks for a 72 hour fermentation.
A 9,000 litre wash still, bought 2nd hand from Romania (originally thought to be from Spain) and a 3,500 litre spirit still from Carl in Germany, both with 45 degree down lyne arms, produce a new make of around 73%.
They fill a huge range of casks, ex-bourbon, Portuguese STR (Jim Swan inspired), local Israeli wine casks, PX and Oloroso seasoned sherry casks, virgin oak and rye casks amongst others.
Their range consists of Classic, 3 Elements, an ongoing range of small batch Apex (these follow 1 of 2 routes : cask or terroir driven) and single cask Black Apex; all are natural colour and non-chill filtered. Most releases are between 3 and 5 years old, any longer in Israel's climate (11%-25% Angel's Share) and the wood takes over.
Shilton led us through the tasting accompanied by Tal & Oded from the distillery.
Brief tasting notes:
M&H Classic 46% ABV: 80% Ex-Bourbon, 16% STR and 4% Virgin Oak casks
Appearance: mid gold in the glass, swirls cling as a thin line, bead up and fall as slow thin legs.
Nose: orchard fruit: apples, pears; honey
Palate: sweet oily arrival, earth, slightly herbal with orchard fruit, vanilla and spice. Some caramel and cinnamon spice - slightly drying - reminiscent of an aged ex-bourbon Speysider.
Finish: Lingering honey and cinnamon spice.
Thoughts: Nice dram with a lovely mouthfeel and typical ex-bourbon characteristics.
The next three drams form the Elements series made up of a marriage of 50% of the Classic's cask type and 50% something else:
M&H Elements: Red Wine Cask 46% ABV: 50% Israeli Red Wine Casks
Appearance: mid gold in the glass, swirls cling as a thin line, bead up and fall as slow thin legs.
Nose: berries: raspberries, strawberries, blackcurrants; balsamic vinegar, vanilla, toffee.
Palate: thick sweet arrival, berry jam, honey, peppery spice, drying - yummy!
Finish: Lingering dry sweet berries.
Thoughts: Really enjoyed this one, very port cask like.
M&H Elements: Sherry Cask 46% ABV: 25% Oloroso & 25% PX seasoned (1 year) casks
Appearance: mid gold in the glass, swirls leave a thin line which turns into thick beads which fall as slow thick legs.
Nose: Strawberry jam, cherries, dark chocolate
Palate: Sweet but spicy arrival, a little watery, berries, peppery spice, slightly drying.
Finish: Dry with berries and chocolate
Thoughts: I was a little disappointed with this one, a little watery compared to the previous two, could have done with a little more sherry influence.
M&H Elements: Peated 46% ABV: 25% unpeated spirit in Ex-Laphroaig & Ardbeg Casks, 25% peated spirit (5-10PPM) in ex-bourbon casks.
Appearance: mid gold in the glass, swirls leave a thin line which beads up slowly into an inverted crown with slow thin legs.
Nose: Earthy, orchard fruit: pears and apricots; a herbal / menthol note, vanilla, a hint of salt. No peat smoke!
Palate: Thick and fruity, salt and peppery spice with a little dry peat smoke.
Finish: lingering peppery spice and gentle dry smoke.
Thoughts: Very little in the way of smoke, but quite salty - nice.
The next dram was a cask led Apex
M&H Apex Batch 008 : Pomegranate Wine Cask 59.5% ABV: Ex-Bourbon and Pomegranate Rose Wine casks
Appearance: Dark gold in the glass, swirls left a thin line which formed an inverted crown of beads which fell as slow thin legs.
Appearance: Dark gold in the glass, swirls left a thin line which formed an inverted crown of beads which fell as slow thin legs.
Nose: Berry jam: strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and something a little different (I've not tried Pomegranate for a long time so maybe them?) but also a lot of orange, some chocolate - a little earthy.
Palate: Yummy! Thick fruity arrival, very dry, loads of berries and a chilli spice.
Finish: Lingering spice, dry and fruity.
Thoughts: This was really good, similar to some red wine casks finishes I've tried but with a lovely bite of spice.
The next dram was a terroir led Apex - 30 different casks (including ex-bourbon, STR, Israeli red wine, ex-Islay and Rye) were matured for a year in a metal cage on top of a hotel near the Dead Sea, 430m below sea level. They lost 25% volume to the angels. After a year they were matured back at the distillery in Tel Aviv alongside 30 of the same range of casks for a further 2 years. These were then married together and bottled.
M&H Apex Batch 010 : Dead Sea 56.2% ABV: as described above!
Appearance: Dark gold in the glass, swirls left a thin line which formed an inverted crown of beads which fell as slow thin legs.
Nose: Dry, spicy, salty, vanilla, a little mint.
Palate: Wow! Thick almost chewy arrival, sweet toffee, honey and vanilla, a little salt, a hint of smoke. there's burnt sugar and a lovely cinnamon spice.
Finish: Lingering dry cinnamon spice and vanilla.
Thoughts: YUMMY - just go and buy a bottle!
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