You may remeber Brave New Spirits from their Cask Noir series or the more prolific Cask Masters range. They also have a series called WhiskyHeroes, which consists of small batches, matured only in classic bourbon and sherry casks, the heroes of the whisky world according to the bottler.
I believe 11 hero characters had been bottled initially, but I’m not sure they keep expanding the range.
Jura 13 yo (54%, Brave New Spirits ‘WhiskyHeroes’ 2024, first-fill Oloroso barrique finish #28425, 277 btl.)
Nose: some plankish notes up front – fresh mezquite wood. Also hints of grist, parsley and hints of dried ginger. Then hints of dried wildflowers (almost lavender) and leafy notes, along with rubbed lemon skins. Stewed apples in the background, even a hint of caramel popcorn.
Mouth: slightly more sherried now, with caramelized fruits and quinces. Not for long though, as it moves towards mineral elements and a mild bitterness (grapefruit peels). Leathery hints, some artichokes and white pepper, as well as dashes of ale and ginger.
Finish: medium, still gingery and bitter, with walnuts, herbs and marmalade.
I’m still not sure what to think of these sherry barriques (a cask type that is highly uncommon for sherry maturation). In any case the whisky is not exactly a masterpiece of elegance. A weird selection that is not for me.
Inchmurrin 10 yo (57,1%, Brave New Spirits ‘WhiskyHeroes’ 2024, first-fill bourbon barrel #69, 215 btl.)
Nose: also a tad dusty and plankish at first, with whiffs of rubber boots, hints of dough and dunnage notes. Very mild smoke in the background. Then cut grass, a little wax and parsley. A bit rugged, if not for the hints of custard and apple. It keeps improving over time.
Mouth: marginally fresher, with lots of cereal notes, some cider, white pepper, lemon drops and dried flowers. Hints of vanilla cream, citrus zest and a slightly bigger peatiness (though nowhere near Islay levels). A nice oily / waxy vibe – mineral oils.
Finish: medium, with more oak spice coming out, along with tangy citrus and mineral notes.
I kept thinking of the Fable whiskies: a lot of storytelling but the whisky itself is simply a bit harsh. This one is more balanced and more charismatic than the Jura though. Both are still available in German stores. Score: 83/100