Betz Master Blend Batch 4
Delicate, Juicy, Oak, Vanilla2025-01-28
Smell
The nose is initially greeted by an interesting blend of pepper and spicy herbs. Underneath, notes of hazelnut and a hint of caramel shimmer, combining with an unexpected sweetness of candy floss and raspberry. The fragrance is complex and multi-layered, raising hopes for an equally multi-layered flavour.
Taste
A creamy cream caramel initially unfolds on the tongue, accompanied by soft vanilla and orange tones. But then comes the turnaround: notes of leather and cocoa mix with bitter herbs that dominate the flavour. While the first few seconds still seem harmonious, the whisky quickly becomes flat and one-sided. The bitterness overpowers the finer nuances and makes the flavour less enjoyable.
Finish
The finish is creamy and of medium length, with an aftertaste of orange and herbs. Unfortunately, the bitterness remains present here too, which detracts from the otherwise pleasant finish. There is a lack of depth and balance to really round off the whisky.
Thoughts
The Betz Master Blend Batch 4 shows that the Betz Distillery definitely has potential. There are many interesting notes to discover. Unfortunately, however, the whisky remains flat overall and is overshadowed by a dominant bitterness.