At the core of this Darkness expression is an eight-year-old Speyside single malt Scotch whisky which has been matured in ex-bourbon barrels. Following that, the whisky is moved over to custom-made Oloroso sherry octave casks for at least three months. It's also non-chill filtered, bottled at "drinking strength", and unlike it's Limited Edition cousins, is bottled in 70cl bottles.
Small casks make for a vastly increased surface area to volume ratio compared to the much larger sherry butts, leading to more cask influence and more of those intense sherried notes we've all come to know and love.
Darkness 8 Year Old is a continuous release from the range that was previously built around very limited edition bottlings, though the name of the game hasn't changed - big ol' helpings of sherried deliciousness await you!
You can enjoy this beauty neat or in a variety of serves. Here's the brand's recipe for a tasty Highball called Lasting Darkness:
Lasting Darkness
50ml Darkness 8 Year Old
100ml Soda
Slice of grapefruit
Add ice to a highball glass, and pour in 50ml Darkness 8 Year Old. Top and lengthen with soda, and garnish with fresh grapefruit.
Candied orange peels, chocolate peanuts, cooking spice warmth and some dried cherry.
Amaretti biscuits, subtly toasty hints, powerful raisin and prune, just a touch of earthy oak lingers.
Slightly oily with a hint of smoke, though chocolatey hints persist.
Wouldn't say a sherry bomb per se, but not far off at all. Very enjoyable
Can't help but feel merry after enjoying a glass of this, as per usual the master of malt tasting notes are spot on. Will definitely be getting this again
on a bottle 3. I will say this is a best budget sherry bomb you can get. after few months the last drams of the bottle. nose: lot of fruits. burned sugar. It deliver to the taste with peppery finished. going to buy the fourth
Like to try different whiskies, reviews were promising but this whisky is decidedly average and the plastic came away from cork on first opening.
I love a sherried malt, but I couldn't get behind this one.
