Price: $230 AUD
Purchased From: SMWS Australia
ABV: 62.5%
‘New Acquaintance’ was a 2020 release for the Fèis Ìle festival with a total outturn of 489 bottles. This saw 14 years full maturation in a refill Sherry butt. There weren’t many 10s being released by SMWS around this time and, if memory serves, this was snapped up very quickly.
Nose
Leather, tobacco, chocolate and slightly sulphuric, which is to be expected. The alcohol was quite strong on the nose even with considerable time in the glass.
Taste
This took a lot of water, but once it was at a good level it was a fantastic, well rounded dram. Cough syrup, dark chocolate, bitters, salted rye bread. The finish was long on this one.
Conclusion
Old school Sherry goodness and a worthy Fèis Ìle release. As mentioned above it did need a lot of water, but once you get the right level it’s a great old school Sherry matured whisky.