Bavarian Slyrs whiskies are matured in 225 litre new oak casks (Limousin oak, if I’m not mistaken) and this one is finished for up to nine months in Oloroso sherry casks.
What makes it special is that these are ‘genuine’ solera casks rather than the tailor-made sherry-seasoned casks that are standard these days (see my article about the sherry casks in the whisky industry). This held sherry for up to sixty years, rather than two years. One of the few (explicitly mentioned) examples of this type of casks on the market these days.
Slyrs worked with Bodegas Tradición in Jerez who supplied a couple of casks which had been used in their Oloroso solera (a highly recommended wine, by the way).
I must admit this is the first Slyrs whisky I’ve tried, so I can’t really compare to a standard release.
Slyrs Edition N°3 – Oloroso finish
(46%, OB +/- 2015)
Slyrs Edition N°3 – Oloroso finishNose: sweet berries and golden raisins, slightly jammy with hints of dried plums. Oranges as well. Oaky touches and fragrant pepper – must be from the first maturation period. Hints of almonds. Really not bad.
Mouth: easy, again fairly fruity (apple pie). Sweet cereals and vanilla. Also a tangy new oak touch, including a light bitterness after a while. Walnut skin, light mushroom touches and traces of chocolate. A leathery dryness and faint metallic notes in the end.
Finish: medium long, still slightly woody.
Obviously a very young whisky that is clearly helped by the Oloroso cask but doesn’t really stand out overall. Does the Tradición cask offer a noticeable advantage over other sherry casks? I’m not convinced, but the old cask works quite well alongside the more active new oak. Around € 60.
Score: 77/100