The Milk & Honey Distillery Classic Single Malt Israeli Whisky (700ml)

The Milk & Honey Distillery Classic Single Malt Israeli Whisky (700ml)
Volume: 700ml           ABV: 46%           Age: No Age Statement       Country: Israel
The Milk & Honey Distillery was established in 2014 and is located in Tel Aviv, Israel’s first city and the heart of Israel’s culinary and drinking scene. It is here the owners of the distillery collect their inspiration and passion for their whisky and strive to make world class spirits. It’s no secret that the climate in the middle east os hot and dry with an average 300 days of sun recorded each year.  The climate is used in this instance to create a whisky which takes on specific terroir and challenges centuries old techniques and traditions. With a minimum of three years maturation the whisky is graceful. The distillery hired the late Dr Jim Swan, one of the world’s most accomplished Master Distillers and an expert in hot climate distillation and maturation, as an advisor. With its own custom made traditional copper still and the use of exceptional barrels which include but not limited to, ex-Bourbon, ex-red wine and kosher sherry barrels the Distillery produce some excellent whisky.
Using ex-red wine STR casks (STR is a term given to barrels that have been shaved, toasted and re-charred), the finest ex-Bourbon casks and a small percentage of virgin casks this whisky is given a rather light and balanced character. The warm climate has brought challenges to maturation and production but these elements have also contributed to intensified flavour and magically produced colour.
Our Tasting Notes
Nose: Red apples, mandarine, nectarines and peaches, beeswax and pencil shavings leads to floral notes. Slightly cough syrup like sweetness.
Palate: Oak driven but more polished oak, spices of nutmeg and clove a touch of honey sweetness and moves to cough syrup sweetness again.
Finish: The spice and oak dry nicely on the palate and that delicious apple returns.
I can only say if this is what Milk & Honey Distillery have to offer as their first single malt then we are in a for a treat. If they can get the apple and fruits to shine more in the palate and work on more integration we are on to a winner here.