Fielden Harvest 2019 Rye Whisky

Fielden Harvest 2019 Rye Whisky, ~4 YO, 50%

Time for more English rye whisky from Fielden (formerly known as The Oxford Artisan Distillery). Here are the wonderfully nerdy details from the official product page:

“Mild weather and summer rain meant the rye we harvested in 2019 was brighter and more delicate than previous years. It makes a whisky that tastes of early summer: fresh, floral and full of flavour.

Harvest 2019 Rye Whisky is made from diverse populations of rye (73%), wheat and barley. Small amounts were malted. The mashes were fermented for four to five days in stainless steel tanks and then double distilled in pot and column stills. The resulting spirits matured in a combination of eight casks: mostly American oak (STR and second-fill casks), with a Sauternes barrique and a Ramandolo barrel. After a slow marriage, the spirit was gradually reduced to 50% ABV.”

I had to google Ramandolo, and found that this is a “sweet white wine from the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region in northeast Italy, specifically produced in the village of Ramandolo”.

Nose: White pepper and ginger take the lead, followed by orchard fruits, vanilla, and a hint of sun-warmed oak.

Taste: Full-bodied, with baked red apples generously sprinkled with freshly ground black and white pepper.

Finish: Medium-long, with peppery notes now tempered by hints of strawberry ice cream and fresh herbs.

Comment: Peppery with a sweet twist.

Score 87/100

Sláinte!
-Thomas