Milk And Honey Archives Single (ex-Bourbon) Cask

I write this review with a heavy heart. I woke this morning, Oct. 7, 2023, to the news of perhaps the largest terrorist attack since the one on Sept. 11, 2001. With family spread throughout Israel, I read reports of thousands of missiles launched at Israel, gunmen invading towns and cities, shooting people indiscriminately, raping women, parading their half-clothed bodies in Gaza, kidnapping children to take back as hostages. I’ve been sent videos and still images taken from Gaza TV and Israeli broadcasts. I had to turn away.

I have been consumed by this all day. I’ve been on social media watching people condemn these acts of terror, and others who actually are celebrating these murders. Here in Canada I feel helpless. So I decided to show my solidarity with the victims by reviewing an Israeli single malt. My allergies are acting up and I’ve just finished a 10 course Chinese meal with my family and in-laws, but I felt I needed to do it.

@Paddockjudge helped me get this bottle from Alberta and we opened it a recent tasting. I liked it so much I ordered another one before it was sold out. This is an independent bottling brought to Canada by Igor of Scotch. Only 211 bottles were produced.

It is bottled at cask strength, just like the Apex series. Like one of the Apex expressions (which I was not able to afford when it was available in Calgary), it was matured for about 3 1/2 years near the Dead Sea, a half a kilometre below sea level. Here is a review of the OB version by @Markjedi1:

connosr.com/milk-and-honey-apex-dead-sea-w…

For anyone interested in learning more about the distillery, here is a link to the thread I posted after I visited:

connosr.com/milk-and-honey-israel-the-next…

I believe it is a first fill ex-bourbon bottle maturation. Distilled January, 1 2019 (I might even have passed by it when I visited the Dead Sea that year), and bottled July 27, 2022. It is natural colour and not chill-filtered. It has already been archived on whiskybase for anyone interested (ID: WB213737)

This expression is reviewed in my usual manner in a BrilliantHighland Whisky Glass, allowing it to settle after which I take my nosing and tasting notes, followed by the addition of a few drops of water, waiting, then nosing and tasting.

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Nose: 22/25

Sweet, fruity and spicy on the nose. Syrupy, thick nose. Honey. Apple pie filling (the kind my mother prepares with uncooked Granny Smith apples, a little lemon juice and a hint of sugar and cinnamon). Some tropical fruits. Water opens up the nose a little, and the vanilla and caramel are more prominent (22.5/25)

Taste: 22/23

Powerful arrival. Sweet and very spicy. Fruity. some caramel and vanilla. Thick, rich, oily mouthfeel. Very strong but drinkable at 66.8%. Water opens it up and makes it a bit brighter, more fruity, more effervescent. Quite delightful. (23/25)

Finish: 22/23

slightly peppery, fairly short. No change with water.

Balance: 22.5/25

Well-balanced between the nose and the palate. It’s clean, no off notes. Water brightens this nicely. (23/25)

Score: Neat - 88.5/100 With Water: 90.5/100

But today, and just today, because of the circumstances, I give it 100/100.

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This is an excellent whisky, probably my favourite expression I’ve tasted so far from this distillery (and I’ve tasted quite a few). It’s very expensive compared to other young malts but it does show a maturity similar to what can be found in other warm climates, like Amrut or Kavalan. I’m glad I was able to try it and very happy to have a spare in the collection.

I will end this review with a shout out of support to the people of a country under attack:

!עם ישראל חי