New Zealand Dunedin Doublewood

What a surprise this is! After a steady run of aged and just about agreeable dusty lemon and paprika malts this is the youngest release—just 8 years old—from the now-demolished Wilson distillery. At a guess I'd say the original whisky was ordinary so the Tasmanians who own the stock did what Tasmanians do and finished it in port casks to make it fruity. The blemishes aren't entirely ironed out but the whisky gets away with it—and this is rather good and at a better strength. Why bottle premium malt at 40% and your 8 year old at 44%? NZ$79