Dark Arts Blunt Blend

Availability: Limited release

Distillery: Dark Arts Whiskey House

Finish: Madeira and Armagnac Casks

Proof: 114.8

Age: 8 years

Price: $90

Introduction

The pour has a rich mahogany hue to it and after a quick swirl you see that it coats the glen very well and takes a bit for the medium size legs to begin to form and then glide down the glen fairly quick. Left behind is this thick oily coating in the glen, it looks as if this might just have a nice long finish to it.

Nose

As you begin to nose this pour you are met with wonderful notes of the Madeira and Armagnac, it’s sweet with grape peels along with a wonderful rye bread note that accompanies it. As you continue to nose the pour you begin to discover caramel and vanilla with the faintest apricot note. All of this mingles together in such a way that you want to continue to nose this pour. It is a pleasure to take in all of these notes as it begins to get the palate ready.

Palate

Wow, right off you get black pepper spice that just jumps out and punches you but is quickly tamed with this sweetness of what comes across as sweet berry bubblegum. There is also some great caramelized brown sugar notes that are thick and gooey… this is such an insane ride that is intense and wonderful at the same time. The palate is crazy good and dazzles the mid palate where all these notes seem to explode one right after another like a well choreographed fireworks display. I’m a fan!

Finish

The finish is long and that wonderful spice begins to make the tongue tingle and this wonderful mild sweetness begins to counter it and linger in and out. This is also where you get a slight oak dryness that begins to come in which rounds out the pour.

Overall - 8.3

I had no idea what to really expect as this combination finish of Madeira and Armagnac are two I’ve not had together. What is experienced is so unique and wonderful, and that surprise bubblegum note is when the pour goes from intense, to soft, back to a mild intense finish that is a few notches lower than the initial palate. This pour delivers a wonderful and crazy ride and I can see why the blender was so pleased with this result for his aim in blending it. I can’t say enough how much I enjoy the ride you get from this pour.

Score 1-10: This one is difficult to score, it’s so unique. Thinking about the experience and taking another sip, I believe this pour is a wonderful 8.3! It is so different and something fun and delicious to sit and enjoy!

Value - This comes in around $90 so it’s on the higher side for sure. However, the fact that this was blended for a specific purpose and how it delivers on big bold flavors is what helps this pour. I would say that the value of the pour is Buy At MSRP all day! If you see this particular blend, scoop it up and enjoy the heck out of it!