Whiskey Review: New Holland Cask & Smoke

The first taste hits the tongue with the sweetness – and nearly the viscosity – of a drop of honey, but tempered by a hint of nutmeg. That again transitions to a smoky flavor, but while the nose is characterized by oak smokiness, peat smoke takes charge on the tongue and intensifies over time, but remains balanced by the spiced honey notes. Swallowing leaves the sensation of a sweet, syrupy coating on the tongue and pleasant tingles throughout the mouth that occasionally flare up for another minute or so. Final Thoughts: I’m not usually impressed by peated whiskeys, but New Holland Cask & Smoke blends that peat smoke flavor with the sweeter smoke of oak-barrel aging to delightful effect. While its flavor profile isn’t particularly complex beyond the blend of smokes, that blend alone – both in the nose and palate – impressed me. The aptly-named Cask & Smoke isn’t likely going to revolutionize the industry, but it is at least worth a taste if not a trip to the store for a relatively affordable bottle. FINAL SCORE: 88/100 [SHOP FOR A BOTTLE OF NEW HOLLAND CASK & SMOKE]