Tastes

A colleague, aware of my keen interest in Japanese whiskies, generously provided me with a sample of this whisky. Nose - Distinctly sweet, characteristic of an authentic grain whisky. With an aromatic blend of vanilla, brown sugar, salted caramel, almond, and citrus and tropical undertones of lemon, orange, and pineapple, it promises not to disappoint. Palate - The texture is light and creamy. The initial sour and dry sensation swiftly gives way to its inherent sweetness. There's a mild spice that enhances rather than overwhelms. Finish - The mild spiciness transitions into the finish, swiftly replaced by a deep brown sugar sweetness. The lingering sensation is sweet and woody, reminiscent of licorice root. While I typically don't favor grain whiskies, this particular one has captivated me. In my opinion, it aligns more closely with my palate than Suntory's "The Chita," which I find a tad too floral. "Nikka Coffey Grain" stands out, and I eagerly anticipate my next glass. Rating: "Enjoyable" - 3.5 stars | Well above average.

Unfortunately, I was not impressed with this whisky, which is unfortunate, because I do tend to be a big fan of Arran's age statements. I found this one much too dry for my taste, which prevented me from enjoying the other flavors. I am glad I tried it, but will not volunteer to drink it again. "Poor" : 1.0 stars | I wouldn’t consume by choice.

Details about this Belgian whisky are scarce. Our only source of information is the bottle label which mentions its age: 5 years. It remains unclear whether this malt boasts a natural color or if it's (non) chill filtered. Nose - The initial impression is sharp and immature, reminiscent of beer yeast. Accompanying this are notes of fresh apple, pear, sweet honey, sugared cornflakes, a hint of mint, and an unexpected touch of vinegar. Palate - Its youth is palpably evident, leaning predominantly towards a sweet-sour profile. Unfortunately, the palate lacks complexity. Finish - This is where the whisky comes into its own. The duration ranges from short to medium-long, offering a surprisingly pleasant experience. Maltiness and sweet undertones predominate the finish. All in all, it's a somewhat one-dimensional whisky with its redeeming feature being the finish. Suitable for a laid-back evening when you're not in the mood to deeply analyze your drink. However, it won't be gracing my wishlist anytime soon. Rating: "Sub-par" - 2 stars | Not bad, but there are many other options I'd prefer.

This integrity malt (non chill filtered and natural colour) from master distiller Billy Walker has been on my wishlist for some time. It is beautifully coloured (almost mahogany) and is distinctly oily. Nose - The nose is interesting and has notes of sherry, dates, figs, walnuts, baking spices, brown sugar, marzipan, honey and vanilla. This suggests that quality casks have been used to create this whisky. Palate - Especially sweet and sour, where the notes of apple cider, dates, sultanas and sherry are most prominent. Not too pungeant, which makes it possible to keep this whisky in your mouth for a long time. Finish - Medium long, sweet and fruity, with enough spice to make you long for the next sip. It is clear that this whisky was given time to slumber and mature. It’s not a record breaker by any means, just a good solid delicious whisky and a nice addition to my collection. "Excellent" : 4 stars | Really quite exceptional.

Nose - This whisky makes a strong impression with a strong and unique nose. Opening with notes of brown sugar, vanilla dates and anise before leading into the wonderful smells that remind me of a traditional bakery. Palate - Even without water, this whisky is pleasant to drink. The mouthfeel is light and buttery. Sweet, sour and spicy. Finish - The long and delicous finish reminds me of white chocolate, mint tea, gingerbread, frangipane, freshly ground coffee and salted toffee. I am glad that I got hold of a sample of this unique whisky. Despite the €100,- price tag per bottle, I am considering buying one. "Excellent" : 4.25 stars | Really quite exceptional.

Nose - The nose appears to be very young with notes of beer malt, hay, oak, soil, honey and vanilla. It has little depth and is rather flat. Palate - Sharp and predominantly sweet, with a slightly salty and spicy taste in the background. Finish - Like licking honey from a leather seat. Sweet and leathery, with notes of earth and nuts in the background. Frankly, I expected more from a Macallan in this price range. I was lucky enough to be able to sample this whisky first, as a bottle can easily cost up to €200 in my area. It is clear that this whisky is aimed more at collectors than whisky connoisseurs. Overall a forgettable experience, which is unfortunate for a brand with this reputation. "Sub-par" : 2.25 stars | Not bad, but many things I’d rather have.

By now, I have been lucky enough to sample some expressions of the Highland Park family. The label of this 16-year-old whisky claims that it is uncoloured, but does not indicate whether it is chill filtered or not. Nose - The nose has many layers and has elements that are usually found in a bourbon. It contains notes of brown sugar, vanilla pods, forest honey, salted butter, sherry, and in the background the slightest bit of peat. Palate - The palate is rich and full of flavour, without being overpowering. The main flavours are salty and spicy, with a distinct malt note. Finish - Like a gentle sea breeze, with notes of sea salt, apple cider and cinnamon. The aftertaste is medium-long and sweet. A very unique whisky, with many of the characteristics of a typical Talisker. A whisky that will definitely end up on my wish list. Not quite at the top, but not at the bottom either. "Enjoyable" : 3.75 stars | Well above average.

After a long search for this whisky, I finally managed to obtain a sample. Normally I would have no interest in this malt: no age statement, only 40% ABV, coloured and chill filtered. But the unique profile of this whisky (6 different casks) makes even the most sceptical person curious... Nose - The nose contains a very wide range of scents that I have never experienced in one dram before. It has notes of garlic butter, grass, ginger, sherry, hay, compost (sounds worse than it is), leather, tabacco, honey, red fruits, toffee, caramel, tiramisu, espresso and vanilla ice cream. Palate - Sweet. Very sweet. Very sugary, syrupy and mouthcoating. It is similar to a sweet coffee liqueur, but as a whisky. I'm a fan, but it is definitely not for everyone. Finish - The sweetness of the palate carries over to the finish, where notes of white chocolate, malt, sherry, banana and coconut are very present. It has a bit of funk that I am not used to. I love it. It is a real dessert whisky that I want to add to my collection sooner or later. The price is unfortunately quite steep, but you pay for the uniqueness of this whisky and for a wide range of (hopefully) quality casks. "Excellent" : 4 stars | Really quite exceptional.

It is the first time I have been able to try a whisky from the Glenfarclas distillery. A whisky tasting is always the perfect opportunity to discover new gems. I compared it to a whisky with a similar profile, i.e. the Glenfiddich 18. Nose - The Glenfarclas 21 is less full-bodied than the Glenfiddich 18, which would fool me in thinking this whisky was younger. Grassy and sherry notes dominate the nose, with added notes from (over)ripe fruit, oranges and citrus. Palate - Tasty and warming. The arrival is sour and slowly becomes more bitter and sweet. For an age statement of 21 years, I find the palate not particularly complex. Finish - The finish is dry, medium long and has a lingering taste of malt. The finish makes up for a lack in taste with predominantly sweet and earthy flavours. To be honest, I was a little disappointed by this whisky. Because of the reviews I read beforehand, I was hoping for a better and more consistent experience for the age statement. Tasty, but not a great success. "Tasty" : 3 stars | A cut above.

I find it immediately regrettable that that this whisky is coloured, chill filtered and bottled at 40% ABV. This implies that this whisky is primarily aimed at the ordinary consumer who is not searching for intrinsic quality, but for an impressive age statement. Nevertheless, I am happy to give this whisky a fair chance and hope it will be a pleasant experience. Nose - The nose is immediately a little softer than I am used to from an 18-year-old whisky. Very malty and sweet, with notes of jonagold apples, sultanas, honey and vanilla. Palate - Very smooth, mainly sweet and sour. Some spicy notes are also present, such as liquorice and cinnamon. The mouthfeel becomes creamy and buttery. Finish - The finish is delicious and not overcomplicated. Medium long, dry and predominantly sweet. Adding a drop of water makes the finish even sweeter and emphasises the fruity notes. A nice whisky, but in my opinion not a must have. "Tasty" : 3.25 stars | A cut above.