- Raided Score: 85
- Publication: The Whiskey Wash
- Excerpt: I wanted to like this but couldn’t find my way there. If you like unusual whiskies and one-of-a-kinds, certainly you should go out and get it. You can’t go wrong, but I wanted more. Maybe because this isn’t a comforting whiskey. It’s weird. A little wacky. And you know what? I’m kind of done with odd surprises, at least for the time being.
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- Raided Score: 88
- Publication: Breaking Bourbon
- Excerpt: I was initially shocked by Armida, as it delivers a combination of flavors I can confidently say I have never experienced in a whiskey. In fact, I had to revisit a number of times to ground myself in what I was experiencing, and in-so-doing found myself really enjoying this intriguing blend.
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- Raided Score: 90
- Publication: Whiskey Raiders
- Excerpt: This really appealing, much in the same way as enjoying bitters from time to time, but with that robust whiskey character for backbone. It's not something you'll want to drink every day, but when you're in the mood, nothing else will scratch the itch.
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Intro:
Perhaps the wildest whiskey of 2020, Armida comes to us from Barrell Craft Spirits and is comprised of three straight bourbon whiskeys that have all seen vastly different finishing casks. Pear Brandy, Jamaican Rum and Sicilian Amaro Casks make up the three finishing periods here, and their dumped content are blended together. With roughly 3,500 bottles released, this is a true limited edition.
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Nose:
Bright and spicy nose, really reminiscent of gingerbread, fruit cake, cream cheese frosting and honey. Wild and crazy.
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Taste:
Sweet at first on the palate, then spicy and oak forward. Tons of toffee, a bit of pear and earthiness with a funky back palate. The Sicilian component is unmistakable.
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Finish:
Long finish with tons going on. It almost drinks more like a rye here with clove, spicy cassia, pepper, soil and anise kind of wrapping up. Super bizarre, but a really nice departure from sweet sweet bourbons.
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Overall:
This is wild and all over the place. I've never had anything like it. This really appeals to me, much in the same way as enjoying bitters from time to time, but with that robust whiskey character for backbone. It's not something you'll want to drink every day, but when you're in the mood, nothing else will scratch the itch.
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Score:
7
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Disclosure: The producer provided this sample to review free of charge, and without expectation of review or rating.
- Our in house critic rates spirits on a scale of 0-10 (10 best) and is aggregated the same as external sources