Tastes

Laphroaig Select has a familiar nose, but is not as punchy and rich as the 10 year old. The palate is sweet and peppery. In its own right, it's very fruity, light and refreshing. The finish is long and gentle with enough spice to make it interesting. "Good" : 2.5 stars | Good, just fine.

A gentle and approachable whisky that's light and fruity on the nose. The palate is smooth and has lots of honey, citrus, vanilla, cereals and malt. The finish is short and dry without any burn. "Good" : 2.5 stars | Good, just fine.

The nose is uniquely maritime and smoky, but not as dominant as Laphroaig. There are also some sweet and fruity notes like apple, pear and oranges, but they are tucked underneath the covers. Rich sweet and salty on the palate, almost like hard salt toffee, followed by some oak and pepper. Adding a few drops of water accentuated the sweet and spicy flavours. The dry and long lasting finish resolves in smoke, sweetness, and the desire to repeat the process and have another sip. This an amazingly well balanced whisky with great depth. There is no better whisky at this price point. "Incredible" : 4.5 stars | An all time favorite.

This young whisky is definitely more approachable than his "Gouden Carolus Single Malt" counterpart. The sherry influence is noticable on the nose and gets carried over into the taste, along with those fruity, oaky and winey notes. The finish is light and short. Overall, a simple yet delicious dram. "Good" : 2.75 stars | Good, just fine.

By far one of my favorite whisky! The nose is strong vanilla-y, peaty, smoky with a lingering salt - imagine a campfire on the ocean shores - subtle notes of of baking spices. The mouth feel is smooth and oily. Coats your mouth. Again, it tastes like a campfire by the seaside with some bitter, peaty, baking spice notes. The finish is long and evolves from being sweet to smoky. A few drops of water really opens it up and made the dram (a lot) more pungent. "Excellent" : 4 stars | Really quite exceptional.

According to the Whisk(e)y Tribe, this whisky tastes like seagull's armpits. Now I totally get why. Smoke, peat, seaweed and salt. It drinks very smooth and finishes without any burn. And as a nice little bonus, you can own a piece of land at the distillery with the attached tag. "Enjoyable" : 3.5 stars | Well above average.

A very enjoyable drink. I get smoke, phenols (like anise) and dried fruits on the nose. The intense smoke and salt flavours are very bright and sweet up front, giving a bit of a delay before smoke and salt gradually eases onto the palate. A peppery spice joins the smoke into the finish, along with honey and mild herbal notes. "Enjoyable" : 3.5 stars | Well above average.

Fine bourbon. Vanilla, brown sugar and banana on the nose, more brown sugar and caramel throughout and a nice lingering spice on the end. "Tasty" : 3 stars | A cut above.

I had the pleasure of trying this last night and noticed immediately how light and complex it was. The nose is very fruity, almost as if there is a wine influence. The palate is malty and rich in flavours. With hints of honey, dried fruits and mint, the finish is nuanced and medium long. "Enjoyable" : 3.5 stars | Well above average.

A wonderful interpretation of smoky whisky, with enough character and bite to make this an outstanding NAS whisky. I get aromatic sweet peat smoke on the nose which gets carried over into the taste, along with those rich, meaty and medicinal notes. The finish is dry and smoky-sweet. "Enjoyable" : 3.5 stars | Well above average.