Price: $199 AUD
Purchased From: SMWS Australia
ABV: 57.6%
‘A Reward For Patience’ was released in 2022 as part of the Speyside festival with a generous allocation of 1391 bottles in total worldwide (not a single cask). It’s a 10-year-old from distillery 36 that was initially matured in 2nd-fill ex-Bourbon barrels before being transferred into 1st-fill Oloroso quarter casks. An Oloroso finished release from distillery 36 was enough for me to know I wanted this one. This was released by ballot in Australia and I was fortunate enough to get one due to only 78 bottles available locally.
Nose
What a bold and robust nose! Treacle, freshly baked bread, sawdust, cola and some gentle pineapple notes.
Taste
Rich and intense. Plenty of caramel, pears, peanut butter, grilled pineapple, slight ginger. Just the right amount of oak that lasts long into the finish.
Conclusion
This is a moreish dram. The society has done well on this one. Well balanced with a long and lingering finish. The finishing cask has been done just right. Water wasn’t needed in my opinion, but I found a good amount of time in the glass was best. Also good value at $199 for a release of this quality.