Tastes

Super clean tasting and experience, which, to date, is not something I've been able to say about Islay. Simple and direct vanilla cream - crisp and clean, then a thorough and delightful layer of smoke settles over everything. Really well executed and despite my years of resistance I'm beginning to see why this 12 year is worth 25-50% more than its peers. Not for complexity, but elegance and execution. I like Old Pulteney 12 year... this is the same profile but done with a master's stroke (maybe less a touch of salinity).

Packaging is nice but unfulfilled. The box is very well done - heavy paperboard with linen-y textured skin, rose-gold foil work, heavy parchment inset label, classy magnetic close. The bottle keeps the heavy labels and foil, but otherwise is very utilitarian glass and bottle shape, no linen texture, synthetic cork. Sorta got halfway to a good idea but stopped well short in the end. A deep amber with reddish-orange hue. Viscosity and legs don’t match expectations for 120 proof. The nose showcases sweet, fruit-forward casking, but does not obscure the rye heritage. Vegetal, floral, vanilla, mace and cardamom. Weed-whipped honeysuckle bush. Fresh green bean. The longer it sits lets the Port wine take over the aroma. Sharp ethanol neat, but diminishes quickly with dilution into a baked apple crisp. Again, the rye and proof present first. Only after can the other components and casking announce themselves. Orange liqueur, nutmeg, vanilla and a prominent spice when neat. Sweet but assertive. After dilution the flavors are still sharp, but approachable. Spiced, stewed pear with clove, orange zest, and more cider notes. Vanilla cavendish tobacco. Wasn’t smitten when I first opened it months ago, but revisiting can say with confidence this is pretty tasty stuff and well-barreled. Unlikely to ever be a thoughtlessly sweet sipper, but it is a spicy-sweet departure from convention. For $70, I think this is a good adventure and reasonable value. If the finishing sounds interesting to your palate, I recommend giving it a whirl.

Actually pretty competent bourbon. No age statement but surprisingly good. Not special but would happily drink again.

Packaging for Glenglassaugh’s core range is pretty meh but that’s admittedly low on the priority list. Pale straw color with a drop of orange. Thin body. Nose is quite bright. Yeasty and sharp. Bread dough, vanilla, lemon, and grape must. The palate is gently sweet with a subtle flavor that builds. More lemon-vanilla. A little grassy. Creamy lactose. Young floral highlands notes, but more grainy than malty. 46% ABV adds to the sharp aspartame bite without offending. A few drops of water mute out some of the sharpness but don’t substantially affect the overall experience or takeaways. Ultimately no objections to the sharp, flowers and cream profile, but tastes quite young and out of balance. Hard to see restocking this one, but you could do worse.

Pale orange. Moderately thin but noticeably oily legs. Peach pits and jasmine flowers on the nose. A little salinity and yeasty biscuits. Nice weight and vanilla cream on the first taste. Sweet scones with a gentle sour cream tang. Lemon zest. White chocolate. A pleasant drying sensation brings saliva, then the gentle smoke takes over. Phenols are mild and a nice compliment to the lemon cream. Solid under $60, on a great day you might still find near $50, and, if you do, you should buy on sight.

Not half bad for the price. Creamy and rich, no ethanol but can taste the blend with grain whiskey. Im a fan of sherried Irish and this checks the box. Prefer to Jameson and might be a little cheaper to boot.