Whiskey Review: OOLA Distillery Three Shores World Whiskey

The depth of flavor in this whiskey on the palate saves it from the sloppiness of its aroma. An expected heat takes control for the first couple of sips, but it’s warming and viscous and not at all unpleasant or nakedly hot. The banana element of the aroma is initially an unpleasant, combative note layered through the heat of the first sips, but fades to the background as round notes of sweet smoke, hay, and a oddly pleasant yet funky hint of moldy basement continue to build on top of the initial palate. I could sit here all day picking out the unexpected flavors: new carpet, peanut skins, heavy minerality – and this circus of taste maintains a level of interest. Final Thoughts and Score: Interesting experiment, not successful. I’d venture a guess that all three of the starting points for this whiskey are greater in quality than the sum of their parts. The internet tells me that the next release in their ‘Whiskey Discourse’ series will be this same juice with an additional year in those Cab Sauv barrels mentioned earlier. I think this will help gift-wrap this package, and I look forward to revisiting these flavors with an additional 365 days of rest.