Rock Oyster Sherry Edition - A Second Chance *Repost*

"Goggles Pizzano" (gogglespizzano) 10/03/2020 at 21:07 • Filed to: whiskylopnik, Oppositeloch, scotch, Rock Island Sherry Edition, Rock Oyster Sherry Edition, Douglas Laing, Arrrr, content, writings

4

13

Repost for the Weekdayers and Day Drinkers .

In 2018 the line was renamed Rock Island (yeah, I don’t understand either). Still the same whisky and beautiful packaging.

Having already liked the regular version well enough, three years ago I bought a bottle of the limited edition Sherry and was blown away. Tasting with me was a friend and employee at The Whisky Shop in Edinburgh. After watching his eyes pop and hearing the speed at which his girlfriend asked how much I paid for it (more on this later) I knew I wasn’t wrong. I went out and bought a second bottle before it sold out in February the following spring.

The first bottle served me well and I’ve only just now opened the second since hearing a second batch is on the way. Thought I’d take the opportunity to share.

It’s usually not worth mentioning but in this case the color is very telling. The young whisky doesn’t have an age statement and best guess is six or seven years. A whisky this young, with no artificial color, yet this dark, says at least some of the malts were in first-fill sherry casks. Taste backs it up.

The taste? It’s like you’re at a beach...Over a fire built from driftwood, pine, and railway ties there’s a large cast iron pot with some sea water, stewed cherries, raspberries, a few strawberries, and some dark chocolate. There’s also a piece of old rope, a lemon, a lime, and a sprinkling of pipe tobacco. Three years ago in an Oppo post I said it had medium peat. I’d like to change that answer now and say it’s more of low-to-medium peat with medium smoke. The peat that is there is more earthy than medicinal.

The delivery is just wild. Anyone who has difficulty finding flavors in whisky would have a blast with this one. The flavors are very distinct and spaced out in time. There’s a second or two delay where all seems conventional with malt and cereal, then boom , a smoked rich cherry pie. Tart, resin-y. Richer than Bunnahabhain. There’s loads of spice but very little burn (even at 46.8%). If it’s possible to make the drink last an hour the chocolate changes from dark to milk and moves to calm the sudden explosion but not diminish the richness.

There’s somewhere around 5000 bottles, which doesn’t sound like much but being a niche whisky it shouldn’t be too hard to find before February (Total Wine carries the regular version). Three years ago a bottle was less than 85 USD. I’d expect a small price increase. Age aside, in my opinion the quality is right up there with a $130 or $140 whisky.

It’s not a Macallan with a delicate fine quality. It’s not a Glenfiddich, round and easy to drink. It’s not even an Oban with the salt, but if you’re a person who likes strong foods, some smoke, and thoughts of the sea, this is an absolute jem.

89/100

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Rich and decadent

WilliamsSW > Goggles Pizzano 10/03/2020 at 21:31

1

This is good Oppo. Also I now need to try it. Not a Scotch drinker (bourbon plz) but this sounds tasty.

Goggles Pizzano > WilliamsSW 10/03/2020 at 21:36

0

Thanks! Bold like bourbon. You might like it.

Jb boin > Goggles Pizzano 10/03/2020 at 22:02

1

Seems interesting, the s herry finish seems harder to find in here, at around 60€ a bottle.

My bird IS the word > Goggles Pizzano 10/03/2020 at 22:11

1

Mm a little rich for my blood currently. I’ve switched from scotch to mezcal.

Goggles Pizzano > Jb boin 10/03/2020 at 22:16

0

What you might be seeing are strays from batch 1 (grab one ) . Batch 2 isn’t expect ed here until the first week of November (grab another) .

Goggles Pizzano > My bird IS the word 10/03/2020 at 22:25

0

I wouldn’t buy a bottle myself but I’d be into trying this:

Jb boin > Goggles Pizzano 10/03/2020 at 22:32

1

Still sold as Rock Oyster so it should be the initial batch.

Goggles Pizzano > Jb boin 10/03/2020 at 22:33

0

Yepper!

My bird IS the word > Goggles Pizzano 10/04/2020 at 08:47

1

flatisflat > Goggles Pizzano 10/05/2020 at 12:03

1

What a lovely review.  Seriously, I kinda felt taken away to another place while reading that, and that alone was much appreciated!  Separately, I gotta go hunt me down a bottle.  :) 

Goggles Pizzano > flatisflat 10/05/2020 at 12:25

1

If it’s not around now it should be in Novemb er.

Tripper > Goggles Pizzano 10/05/2020 at 12:55

0

“ The taste? It’s like you’re at a beach...Over a fire built from driftwood, pine, and railway ties there’s a large cast iron pot with some sea water, stewed cherries, raspberries, a few strawberries, and some dark chocolate. There’s also a piece of old rope, a lemon, a lime, and a sprinkling of pipe tobacco. Three years ago in an Oppo post I said it had medium peat. I’d like to change that answer now and say it’s more of low-to-medium peat with medium smoke. The peat that is there is more earthy than medicinal.”

Welp, guess I never have to try it... nice work here.

Goggles Pizzano > Tripper 10/05/2020 at 13:13

0

Ye’re welcome, l andlubber.