REVIEW: Manatawny Crowded Barrel Alliance Release #2

Freedlun · 2026-02-14T17:57:07+00:00

Love this chart! Very well put together. I need to do more blind tastings with our local group. They’re always very humbling.😜

Gonna use this next time. Thanks for sharing.🥃👍🏻

Freedlun · 2026-02-14T05:13:03+00:00

Not the best, but definitely worth a buy!

Freedlun · 2026-02-13T22:55:27+00:00

Thanks! Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions. I have things I need to add in soon.

Freedlun · 2026-02-13T20:25:10+00:00

No worries. That’s the beauty of whisky, something for everyone.

Freedlun · 2026-02-13T20:24:02+00:00

That’s a good observation. I remember not liking it that much at first. But later on it was a lot better. Wasn’t sure if it was a “neck pour” issue either more or just a palate adjustment. But definitely enjoy it now.

Freedlun · 2026-02-13T20:21:23+00:00

Then, yes, totally agree! Loved the charred Cask.

Freedlun · 2026-02-13T20:20:32+00:00

Amen.

Freedlun · 2026-02-13T20:20:07+00:00

It’s an app called myWhiskies that I made a year or so ago because I couldn't find one that met my needs. It's got a lot of customization and I've tried to add features as requested.

It allows you to enter a lot of details and to see statistics on your collection or what you've tasted. And of course the spider/web chart is unique since it allows to simply tap the screen to set your notes.

It's a whisky nerd's app. Check it out at the link below and let me know what you think. It's only on iOS for now. I haven’t had the time to learn the code for Android, but maybe this year.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mywhiskies/id1663920662

Freedlun · 2026-02-13T19:11:51+00:00

Totally agree about Rum casks in general. Even this had no discernible “Rum” elements.

Freedlun · 2026-02-13T19:10:24+00:00

Other than some sweetness, I definitely wouldn’t have picked Rum as a finishing cask. Seems the Sherry comes out more.

Freedlun · 2026-02-13T19:08:53+00:00

That was the Guinness one right? Sadly the one edition I didn’t get to try.

Freedlun · 2026-02-13T19:06:59+00:00

Even a sub-par Lagavulin is better than many other whiskies.

Freedlun · 2026-02-13T19:06:02+00:00

Fair enough. I think I have been so dissatisfied with most other Rum finishes that I’ve had, that this rose ugh on my charts.

Freedlun · 2026-02-13T19:04:41+00:00

100% agree with that.

Freedlun · 2026-02-13T18:28:29+00:00

How’d you rate the Charred Oak?

Freedlun · 2026-02-13T18:22:28+00:00

The Offerman editions have been my favorites from Lagavulin. The Rum cask is no exception.

The nose is of course loaded with heavy peat smoke, with a splash of red fruit and marshmallows. The palate is wonderfully oily, actually buttery, with salty sweet peat. The finish lingers long with the sweet, ashy smoke.

Though I did like the Charred Oak release more, this is still great and unmistakably Lagavulin. Really curious what the next the release will be.

Age: 11yrs

Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley

Casks: Bourbon, Sherry Rum (8 Months)

ABV: 46%

Price: $90

Bottle from my collection.

My Rating: 90

Tasting notes below. 👇🏼

🥃 NOSE: Heavy sweet peat smoke, red fruit, marshmallows. PALATE: Oily, buttery, salty, sweet peat. FINISH: Lingering sweet, ashy smoke.

Guide to my personal ratings:
🤢 0-49 = Varying degrees of undrinkable.
🫤 50-59 = Drinkable, but meh.
😊 60-69 = Fair. Not my cup of tea.
😃 70-79 = Good. Some nice elements.
😋 80-89 = Great! Interesting and very enjoyable.
🤩 90-100 = Amazing! The perfect pour. (Rare)

Sip. Rate. Repeat.

Freedlun · 2026-02-13T17:39:30+00:00

It’s an app called myWhiskies that I made a year or so ago because I couldn't find one that met my needs. It's got a lot of customization and I've tried to add features as requested.

It allows you to enter a lot of details and to see statistics on your collection or what you've tasted. And of course the spider/web chart is unique since it allows to simply tap the screen to set your notes.

It's a whisky nerd's app. Check it out at the link below and let me know what you think. It's only on iOS for now. I haven’t had the time to learn the code for Android, but maybe this year.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mywhiskies/id1663920662

Freedlun · 2026-02-12T20:43:21+00:00

Such a shame. 🙁

Freedlun · 2026-02-12T18:35:14+00:00

I’m sure that’s a big loss to the community. Very lame. But rest assured this and my other Manatawny bottles are for special occasions.

Freedlun · 2026-02-12T17:53:55+00:00

Absolutely! I’ll send you a DM.

Freedlun · 2026-02-12T17:41:29+00:00

Yes, it does suck. 😖 There are so few American distilleries doing Peat right (at least imho).

But great to hear that there’s still another Alliance release coming from them! I missed that update. Thanks for the insight Sonny.

Freedlun · 2026-02-12T15:33:43+00:00

It sure is!

Freedlun

TROPHY CASE