We’ve enjoyed a couple of Hellyers Road releases before, and they’ve been excellent – so why not try another? In 2022, they released a 17-year-old single cask for La Maison du Whisky. Given that their mid-aged single casks tend to be top-notch, there’s plenty of reason to be optimistic about this Hellyers Road 17-Year-Old American Oak.
Hellyers Road 17-year-old American Oak Single Cask #3254.03 for LMDW Review
This Hellyers Road spent 17 years maturing in a first-fill ex-bourbon American oak single cask (#3254.03) before being bottled at cask strength (60.7% ABV) for La Maison du Whisky in 2022. Just 130 bottles were produced, with no added colouring or chill filtration. It’s still available in France for around €250 (try Clos des Millésimes) or in Switzerland for about €50 more.
Colour:
Deep copper.
Nose:
Neat: A beautiful medley of tropical and citrus fruits – passion fruit, pineapple, lemon, grapefruit, and oranges – complemented by a gentle maltiness (grist). Despite the high ABV, the alcohol is seamlessly integrated, with no burn at all. Fudge, vanilla, and brown sugar add sweetness, alongside a subtle hint of fennel.
With water: Custard and a touch of tartness emerge, along with fresh croissant notes, but the vibrant fruitiness fades significantly.
Palate:
Neat: A stark contrast to the nose, with a bold, heated arrival and unexpected woodiness. Toasted oak, vanilla, and intense caramel lead the way. On a second sip, the heat mellows slightly, revealing lemon juice, a generous pinch of pepper, and wood-matured coffee beans. Pomelo with a sprinkle of chili pepper adds a zesty kick.
With water: Unlike the reduced nose, the palate gains citrusy brightness, with lime, blood oranges, and pomelo making an appearance. The heat is noticeably tamed.
Finish:
Medium in length, with lingering wood notes and a touch of grapefruit juice.
Comments:
While the nose on this Hellyers Road 17-Year-Old American Oak is outstanding – especially when neat – the palate falls a bit short, with almost no fruit and a noticeable heat. Adding water improves the balance, but at the cost of some of the nose’s brilliance. Finding the perfect dilution might take a careful hand and some patience. Still, it’s a solid dram overall!
Rating: 7.5/10
Thanks Arnaud! Bottle picture courtesy of Whiskybase… and Mathieu, who shot it!