Shelter Point Double Barreled 5th Release Blackberry Wine
46% ABV - British Columbia, Canada
Nose: There are fresh fruits and spices, laced with wine and jelly notes. The slightly malted sweetness of Shelter Point shines most here. The robust bottling strength gives you the nose tingles on deep dives.
Taste: The mouthfeel is quite light and brings fruits, berries, black currant, plum, and spices.
Finish: Fruit wine, spices, and citrus stay a while on this medium–long finish. Some of the dry, tannic feel of fruit punch is left at the end.
Oh, wow, was I ever excited for this release of Shelter Point! This is the fifth release of the Double Barreled line. The only other release that featured a finishing in Coastal Black Blackberry Wine Casks was the first release. (Well, and except for a single cask that turned up at The Strath liquor store…) What makes this so special for me is that I missed out on that first release (and single cask offering) for I had not yet discovered the beautiful spirit that is Shelter Point.
So here I am now, bottle in hand, and I am searching for the flavours much like I had been searching for this bottle. I was at first underwhelmed, expecting some sort of fruit bomb, but after getting to know the bottle I can understand the direction it was meant to go. Blackberries can really hit the tart, sour notes.
Quite the colour on this dram, too! I don’t usually comment on colour… but, I guess when I do when it’s an auburn-chestnut brown hue. I can’t say that I have enjoyed many whiskies with a similar appearance.
Interestingly, this release of Double Barreled doesn’t feature individual numbering on the label—typically the releases are in the order of 800–1300 bottles.
In some ways, it’s hard to believe this is a whisky! The type of fruits and the juiciness is simply not common. I had two friends passing through town and I was debating whether I should have them sample this, with only the knowledge that it is a "spirit drink", and leave them to their wits to determine that it is a whisky, finished in none other than fruit wine casks. For science, of course. (Update: It ended up being their favourite of the night and I sent them home with the bottle!)
Details: Aged in American Oak for 6 years, then finished in Coastal Black Blackberry Wine Casks for 75 Days.
Tasting Notes (Official): The nose reveals a deep, rich plum preserve with dark cherries, chocolate covered toffee and treacle. On the palate we found black forest cake, hazelnut and juicy wine gums with oak and forest berries. The long finish is warm and peppery with cherry pie and salted caramel.
Tasted 02 November 2020. (Posted 17 November 2020.)
