Although first
released into international Duty Free a couple of years ago this is the first New Zealand release
of this very well reviewed whisky. Sonnalta (Gaelic for ‘generous’ or ‘liberal’)
is the first release in the ‘Private Collection’ range. It doesn’t have an age statement
however we understand it is matured for 10 years in first fill bourbon barrels before
being transferred into Spanish Pedro Ximénez casks for a further year, bottled
at 46%abv, non-chill filtered, and, having been finished in PX casks, I’d be very
surprised if has had colour added. Awarded an outstanding 96.5/100 by Jim
Murray in his ’Whisky Bible’, this is a big rich whisky full of treacle, dried
fruit, syrupy puddings and spice notes. Smooth and long on the finish, it makes
for a wonderful after-dinner dram. This is a limited release and exceptional
buying at $99.95. Be quick!