Nordic Whisky #72 - Box Whisky The Messenger
Box Whisky The Messenger, 3 YO, 48,4 %
Here we are then, ready to review the fourth and final release in the Early Days Collection from Swedish distillery Box Whisky. The Box Whisky The Messenger was released on December 4 2015.
The details about this expression is in short as follows:
76 % of the whisky in this vatting was matured in 130 litre ex-bourbon casks
24 % of the whisky was matured in 100 litre ex-oloroso sherry casks
7 % of the whisky was peated, the rest unpeated
Distilled between 2011-06-22 and 2011-11-04
Bottled between 2015-11-09 and 2015-11-12
Total outturn was 8 169 bottles, and 8 004 of these were made available to the public
I have previously reviewed the three other whiskies in this series of course; The Pioneer, The Challenger and The Explorer. The Box Whisky The Messenger is still available to buy in Sweden at SEK 839 (2028402).
Nose (23/25): Delicate and aromatic nose, with vanilla and light wood notes appearing first. I also find almonds, caramel and hints of fruit. The peat is hardly noticeable here. I have a hard time believing this whisky is a mere three years old. It is very well integrated and mature for its age. You can bury your nose in the glass and there's only pleasant aromas to pick up - no alcohol, no off notes. Given time, and you should of course give a young whisky time in the glass, especially if you do not add water, - anyways, given time I also pick up soft herbal notes. I am thinking mint and eucalyptus, maybe also a hint of aniseed. There is a whiff of smoke here, in the end, sweet and soft wood smoke.
Taste (22/25): Oily and a bit cool. There's eucalyptus and mint here. A bit of a green-ish feel. Roger the gardener? Spices are more present on the palate than on the nose. There's honey and caramel as well.
Finish (21/25): Medium long finish. The peat is slowly coming to the fore on the finish. Slow burning embers that build a solid base for the lighter notes of vanilla and summer fruits. Aniseed and oak make an appearance, and it all becomes a little bit youthful.
Balance (22/25): Another impressive release from Box. Time to start preparing for the next range of whiskies from Ådalen. Expect the next release later this year.
Score (88/100)
Sláinte! - Thomas
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