Tastes

I had previosly the single barel version that i believe with its 50% abv and complexity plays in a different league, but this is also exceptional in this price range. It is especially for you if you prefer the less strong sirits. On the nose it is as complex as the scotch single malts (sorry to the single malt lovers :):)). The chared oak and the caramell are definately dominating, but  right after that comes the fascinating spiciness of the rye impressing balance with the cinnamon, Anish and apple. I like to smell whiskys, but this definitely wants you to taste it. And here comes the difference between a small batch, and a single barrel. On the palate the oak is dominating with some caramell and vanilla, all the complexity that your nose brought almost disappears. All together it nice whiskey, best choice after a hard day, but not something to celebrate with. The finish is long though :) Leaves hot spice with bitterness of the oak for you.

On the nose it brings lots of aromas. It is very aromatic. What i liked was that the fresh aromas are dominating: citrus, some fresh tropical fruits, light beach. Very close to the classic pot still experience. It definatel not promis any complexity but lots light freshness. On the palete the wood is dominating with its light bitterness combined with the delicate taste of barley. It is less fruity and less fresh than you would expect based on the aromas. But it is definitely interesting, and if you like wooden bitterness this whiskey will meet yor expectations . The finish is as you expect from a lighter whiskey . The fruit come up again, resulting well-balanced experience. It is definitely worthwhile to try . I’m not sure I will buy another one, but altogether I liked it.

This new generation Irish whisky is a nice example of the new Irish generation who willing to make excellent spirit. After the first sip you can fell that they are on the right track but this one is a realm good one but not excellent (…ok though not in this price category:)) This is a “bland” of single spot still and pure malt made by the distillery so for me this isn’t a blended whisky. And you can feel that this isn’t a blended one. Nice colour, sweet fruity, “clean” spirits feeling on the nose. On the palate it is really smooth, but less fruity that you can expect on the base of the first impression but to cognac cask and the pot still part of the bland makes the twist:) The the finish length is average, but the the Irish triple distillation smoothness are dominating here, leaving a very nice balanced impression on your tongue.

To be honest I have tasted the “80/20 black bush” where the 80% malt aged in oloroso sherry casks. But as I believe the same has been released on this new name exclusively for Travel retailers (duty free). If you are in a mood to drink something smooth, easy to drink, affordable whisky and you are not desperately searching something with high complexity then this your choice… but let it breathe:) In the nose the sherry sweetness, caramelised fruits (raisin, dried plum) very nice oak (if you like). Slightly reminded me on grappa in the beginning. With breading, this grappa harshness is reducing. On the palate it is extremely smooth due to the 7-11 years sherry cask maturation and due to. That it is Irish and not scotch:). More fruits are coming and the caramelised character is more dominant. This is really sweet. The finish is more longer than expected Based on its price (29€|liter was may duty free drive :):)) with dried orange twist.

Really smooth, fruity, not spicy at all. Easy to drink. For me the character is missing but can be a favourite of the ones who just start the long whisky tasting journey:) In the nose: fruity ( apple and some berries) very light peat. On the palate: Immediately fruitier at the beginning. Smooth, light taste. Easy to enjoy but not complex at all. More sips lead to the peat being a little more expressed.

After lots of recommendations I tasted the Oban 14. I had ambivalent feeling with that because lots of people around me love it although the reviews didn’t really fed the high expectations. Now I know it’s popularity: golden-amber (impressing) nice colour. In the nose: Sweet, fruity, lightly peaty but fresh. It’s nice, not too complex, but promising and easily drinkable and easily enjoyable whisky. After the first sip no surprise. It is what it is promising

This whiskey is the essence of Glenfarclas. The whole experience of this drum reflecting the 200 years old whiskey making tradition and Heritage resulting a classic speyside (in a positive sense.) In the nose, apple, cinnamon, caramel with a nice mix of wood are dominating. It is definitely strong you need to keep some distance from the glass when you smell it. Despite how to 60° it is really soft and sweet. It is easy to enjoy. In order to open the taste it is worthwhile do I add some water. This also helps to do enjoy this nice drum much more. In balance with the nose, but for me the oak wood is a little bit over dominating the taste adding some bitterness. But if do you like the bitterness in the whiskey than you definitely will love it:). I finish it’s quite long and keeping the bitterness with the mix of honey. So for me quite a lot to enjoy:)

This is definitely in any sense in the core of bourbon flavour ranges. We can say that this is good quality, nice classic bourbon. There should be a ‘unique Knob Creek flavour’ but my opinion it is hard to catch. Nevertheless, it’s good value for that price. In the nose, strong oak, lightly spiced vanilla, ripped banana, caramel (or marshmallow if you like :)). On the palate the exercise is carried over. We can say that it is harmony or we can also say it can’t bring any extra. For this price I would stick to the first option :) Anyways it is a nice, easy to enjoy drum. In the finish, the rye spice is slightly dominating that brings a slight twist in the end and let you to enjoy this quality bourbon long enough. For me it is comparable to Elijah Craig small batch maybe I would prefer Knob Creek, but if you are ready spend 10$ more the Four Roses Single Barrel maybe a better choice. (But the best if you check all the 3 out and compare them by yourself;))

This straight rye from Woodford reserve is it quite nice whiskey. Brought the best rye whiskey medal as well however I need to mention that in this price range the Rittenhouse Rye would also deserve this. In the nose you can enjoy the delicate spicy rye (how weather is gonna be more but probably districts the expectation of the mainstream customers) and the fresh oak. The ase dominating rounded with vanilla and pear. On the palate It is a little bit more spicy. But what enjoy the most was that full, rich well balanced long lasting aromas.