And now here is my second mini-review for the samples I received from the S.B.S bottlings chosen by Dawn Davies exclusively for TWE.
S.B.S Mauritius comes from Grays Distillery, Mauritius, is molasses based, distilled in 2010 using a column still and aged on the island (probably using an ex-Bourbon cask) before being taken to Denmark to be finished for 2 years in ex-Moscatel casks. Bottled in June 2021 at 52.9% ABV, no chill filtering or additives, with a limited number of 305 bottles available.
On the nose it feels quite rich. Blackcurrant cordial, cherry cola, milk chocolate and peppermint. Tart blueberries, yellow apples and melon. An interesting combo of flavours. New leather, cinnamon and furniture polish.
On the palate it becomes more spicy and intense. Blackcurrant & liquorice sweets, After Eights, peat smoke and moth balls. Sweet vermouth, leather, molasses and Cola. Cappuccino, lychee liqueur and white pepper. It gets better with each sip. Red grapes, prunes, more peppermint and camomile tea. The finish is long with oak spices, wasabi and blackcurrant cordial.
Alright, so, this is amazing, although I feel that potentially the Moscatel influence gave it too much of a blackcurrant-y profile – I’m not that much of a fan of the flavour myself. Still a fantastic offering, it will definitely keep you engaged with each sip. If you like rich, minty and spicy profiles, go for it. Can still be found only on TWE website for £100.
S.B.S Mauritius 2010 Moscatel Cask – The Whisky Exchange score:
Flavour/taste: 60/70
Value for money: 14/15
Transparency/purity: 15/15
Overall: 89/100
Cheers!