Tastes

NOSE: I’m getting Bourbon but with mint on top. Lack of harsh notes is refreshing. PALATE: Continues from the nose, it ends with a mint chocolate profile that calls for more! OVERALL: One of the best US whiskeys at the price no doubt! Fresh and balanced.

NOSE: What you’d expect from a Bourbon with candy corn and vanilla. Plus some nice cedar wood and Windex for complexity. PALATE: Really nicely balanced between sweet and spice, developing gradually on the palate with a minty banana finish. OVERALL: Standard nose but the palate is above average for Bourbons.

NOSE: All fresh fruit. Pineapple, lemon, apple. PALATE: Not a whole lot going on. Bit of lemon and sugar. Minimal pepper. OVERALL: One of the lightest fruity sippers there is.

NOSE: Pretty typical corn, caramel, and vanilla. Some petrol in there. PALATE: Quite sweet and friendly with an overall toasted brown sugar note. Silky butter texture that lingers nicely with plenty of cinnamon sugar spice. OVERALL: This is a great gateway into Bourbon. Nose is simple but flavor profile makes for a great dessert drink.

Was prepared to be wowed, but wasn’t. It’s good, just not great. Yes very creamy so if you’re looking for “smooth” look no further. Just lacks character and complexity. Would save $$$ and get The Chita.

NOSE: Caramel, vanilla, ocean spray, lemon and apple, hints of charcoal. Some dry and wet leaves. Bit of leather and wood varnish tells of age. PALATE: Spicy right away. Water tones that down. Some sweet toffee, until spiciness intensifies. The grain whisky brings a velvety texture like soft butter. Long finish is sweet and spicy like barbecue. Lingers with butterscotch for several minutes. OVERALL: It’s good, but perhaps not as interesting (complex) as 18 or 15. Would assume the grain is very aged, but single malts are younger in the blend.

NOSE: It’s really unique. The basic profile is toasted sugar, vanilla, petrol, and charcoal, but very intense. It’s like white chocolate. Imagine some kind of delicious cake or pudding coming out of a wood fire oven into your hands. Some underlying scent of dry leaves and wet moss complete the scene. It’s so good you almost hesitate to drink it away. PALATE: It’s friendly for 50%. Like biting into a sweet and juicy cantaloupe. Mellow candied ginger spiciness develops gradually. Great lingering finish, of an After Eight mint chocolate wafer. OVERALL: Poor man’s Octomore? Just exquisite and great value too. BONUS: Try a piece of white chocolate while sipping. Thank me later.

NOSE: Starts with a bowl of hot oatmeal, changing to a handful of dirt and black tea leaves. That evaporates to expose orange peel, sea spray, and charcoal smoke. PALATE: Starts with a sweet cream, developing into some nutmeg and ginger after 5 seconds, and finishes quite strong with peach, dark chocolate, and cinnamon bark. OVERALL: You can’t do this without expertise and blending! People rave about Hibiki blends, but if you want that complexity with the punch of Scotch it’s right here at 1/10th the price!