From our very first conversations with the Fielden team, one thing kept coming up: Cask 292. “Ask Charlie about Cask 292.” So we did. One sip, and it was a resounding yes. And then we heard its story – and we were amazed.
This is a 100% rye whisky finished for just over 2 years in a 45-year-old ex-Solera Oloroso Sherry cask from a bodega in Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Sherry beast Rye? Interesting… let’s dig in.
Fielden 2019 4 Years , The Heart Cut #16 – English rye whisky , £63 (TWE)
Nose: Unmistakably the product of an ex-solera cask, striking and singular in character, though words only go so far. The opening is bold: nougat front and center, giving way to almond paste and luscious caramel. From there it drifts toward jammy apricots, ripe banana skin, and a whisper of lychee, before settling into a quiet earthiness underpinned by a faint thread of soy sauce.
Palate: A compelling push and pull between sweet and savoury. Salted caramel, walnuts, and honeycomb set the tone, while cracked black pepper and a touch of bung cloth add texture and intrigue. Pineapple and plums weave through the mid-palate, joined by delicate ribbons of aged balsamic vinegar and a breath of dusty tobacco.
Finish: Medium to long, with the same flavours carrying gracefully through to the end. The spices fade slowly and softly, making way for macadamia nuts and a medley of dried fruits, with a gentle pinch of salt to close.