A tremendous malt whisky from an unusual source – Puni distillery is located in a 13m cube built out of red brick, in Bolzano in Northern Italy of all places! Even more unusual, this whisky does not just use malted barley in their mashbill, as is the industry standard, rather it also uses quantities of malted wheat and malted rye. Puni Nova has been matured in ex-bourbon barrels for three years, before a finishing period of a few weeks in French Oak Limousin casks. The result is a complex and aromatic whisky, with plenty of youthful fight, yet surprising sophistication. The rye notes in this dram are particularly interesting, typically spicy, yet rounded nicely by virtue of being malted. A fascinating and delicious dram.