Port, second maybe solely to sherry, is probably the most conventional cask used to complete whisky. As with sherry, numerous kinds of port can be utilized—tawny, ruby, white, rosé, and even classic port. Port-finished whiskies are sometimes noteworthy for his or her deeper colour and flavors that embrace plentiful berry notes of cranberry and blackberry, cherry, plum, and chocolate nuttiness, amongst others.
Even peated whiskies will be completed in port barrels, and Islay, the non secular house of peated scotch, has many smoky port-finished choices. Port-finished bourbons have solely been round for a bit greater than a decade, however they too at the moment are figuring extra prominently in port cask ending. And virtually each different whisky nation on the earth these days affords port cask-finished whiskies.
Whereas port ending’s flavors are discernible to the skilled palate, figuring out them is unimportant. Why? As a result of should you can establish the end too simply, then it’s not finished proper. One of the best finishings of any kind ought to create a unified taste that’s not overtly identifiable as a cask end however fairly presents as a whisky with an attention-grabbing further kick of taste.
94 factors – Bunnahabhain 14 yr previous Ruby Port Cask (Feis Ile 2024) Single Malt Scotch 58.7%, $214
Created in celebration of the Fèis Ìle 2024, an Islay Whiskey Pageant, this limited-edition expression was aged for 11 years in bourbon casks adopted by 3-year end in Ruby Port Hogsheads. Fruit and spice are the secret right here, as allspice, plantain chips, banana pudding, dried cherries, and orange slices glide from the glass.
93 factors – Balvenie 21 yr previous PortWood Port Cask Completed Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 43%, $350
This single malt, standing because the oldest whisky of the model’s core vary, underwent its first maturation in American oak, adopted by a end in uncommon port casks. The palate is nice however balanced by the oak, with extra berries, savory spice, and chocolate. It’s very flavorful and accomplished by a protracted end of pink berries, well-integrated oak, and many spice.
93 factors – World Whiskey Society Double Barrel Bourbon and Port Ruby Casks Completed Japanese Single Malt Whisky (Handcrafted by Chip Tate), 51%, $120
This expression marks American Single Malt pioneer Chip Tate’s first foray into the world of Japanese whisky. After first maturing in third-fiull bourbon barrels for 3 years, it was then completed in two varieties of ruby port casks for five months. Restricted portions can be found, as roughly 600 bottles had been produced. The palate is spicy, but additionally notably delicate and easy for its proof, with pink fruit from the wine barrel fairly current.
92 factors – Ardbeg The Spectacular Single Malt Scotch 46%, $130
One other celebratory limited-edition launch for the Fèis Ìle 2024, made particularly for the pageant’s final day dubbed Ardbeg Day. It makes use of whiskies aged 9-13 years, 35% of which had been matured in bourbon barrels and the remaining 65% in uncommon port casks. A peat blast on the nostril, softened by tart and candy notes of lemon. The palate is peated and spicy, with Golden Scrumptious apples, honey, cracked pepper, charcoal, candle wax, and lightweight soapiness.
91 factors – Chattanooga Whiskey White Port Cask Completed Straight Bourbon, 47.5%, $60
As aside of the Tennessee-based label restricted version vary, this whiskey is a mix of three bourbon mashbills, together with toasted and roasted wheat malts. It bares a two yr end in white wine port casks from the Carrazeda de Ansiães area of Portugal’s Douro Valley, an space is understood for producing wines with stone fruit and honey notes. The palate is splendidly creamy and bursts with vanilla pudding, cookie dough, and a pleasant sprint of peppery spice.
91 factors – Ezra Brooks 99 Particular Cask Completed Sequence Port Wine Cask Completed Kentucky Straight Bourbon, 49.5%, $35
This blended whiskey from Luxco is the cut price of the checklist. It options 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malt within the mashbill aged for six months in port wine barrels from Portugal. The palate is scorching and filled with extra berry fruit, although there are herbaceous parts to parse out as properly: spearmint, licorice, and cherry cough drop. With water, the warmth’s been wrangled and brings out creamy chocolate.
91 factors – Virginia Distillery Co. Port Cask Reserve American Single Malt, 46.5%, $45
That is extra of a basic end in comparison with the remainder of the reserve portfolio, which sports activities quite a lot of new world and previous world finishes. Not solely is that this whisky completed in conventional tawny port casks sourced from premium Portugese bodegas but additionally frolicked in port-style wine casks sourced in Virginia. On the palate, it delivers fruitcake, black and white milkshake, and marzipan.
89 factors – Templeton Midnight Rye American Rye Blended with Darkish Port Wine 45%, $40
This uncommon expression shouldn’t be aged in barrels beforehand housing wine as typical with different whiskeys, however as a substitute infused with an undisclosed quantity darkish port wine after an preliminary maturation in first-fill American Oak barrels. The port is noticeable, dialing again the rye spice and overwhelming the extra delicate fruits the grain may supply. The end has good size and a nice raspberry sweetness.
88 factors – Little Relaxation Port Cask American Single Malt 46%, $125
For this expression the New York-based Tenmile label steers away from a brief end and as a substitute embraces a hefty age time, round 4 years, in first-fill port wine casks from California. The palate affords vanilla and jammy darkish berries, chile pepper, and a few bitter chocolate. Extra pink berries on the end—raspberries, strawberries, and cherries— plus darkish chocolate and an interesting char be aware.
