Dark Arts has been a difficult brand to keep in stock, especially when it comes to their finished whiskeys. When we were offered some of their 7.5-year Dual Port Finished Special Release we jumped at the opportunity - this is a fantastic whiskey. Finished in both red and white port casks and blended with precision, the Empyrean is a study in elevation - where brightness meets depth, and indulgence meets restraint. It’s built to rise above and leave a lasting impression.
The nose is creamy and nuanced - sugared fruits and buttery caramel kissed with antique leather, baked apple pie, ripe melon, and sweet oak, with just a touch of lingering barrel smoke.
The palate opens with exceptional balance - offering all the lazy, easy, sweet oak character you expect from much older pours. The mouthfeel is coating and sweet - like a breve iced vanilla latte with sweet cream cold foam and caramel drizzle - yet it finishes clean, like freshly brewed black tea. Mid-palate, juicy fruit notes emerge alongside subtle spice, adding depth without overwhelming the pour.
Toward the finish, jammy dark fruits slowly saturate the palate as tobacco and leather resurface, carried through by a creamy, spice-lined taper.
