Tastes

Really nice for a upstart distillery at 2.5 years. Barley single malt. Initially barreled in new charred oak, then finished in used bourbon barrels from Breckenridge distillery. Super smooth and pleasant. Much more robust than a typical Irish. A bit simple but enjoyable. I get a bit of a grape/plum flavor and nose, like grappa.

Took a 50 ml bottle with me on a flight for a nice treat. I think the port finish on the base Glenmorangie is a fantastic addition, filling in the weaknesses of the light and simple 10 year to add richness, depth, body, and provides what is still a relatively unique profile even with the myriad of new options on the market. Not a complex pour to be analyzed, just a really nice, approachable and affordable pour is dessert in a glass. Slainte!

Verdict: balanced but spicy sweet like a stir fry. Not exactly what I was expecting. Very well crafted, enjoyable, but I won’t hunt for it. Not exactly the profile I am drawn to. I’d reach for GTS first. 1 oz pour, neat in a rocks glass. Medium amber gold, about average for bourbon. Oily. Long, slow legs. In a rocks glass, so not ideal, but the nose is mostly muted. A simple honey note and a hint of toast. Pleasant but not special. No ethanol. Stuck my nose in there for 30 seconds and no burn, a surprise for the proof. The taste is quite spicy and complex. Some from the proof, some just the flavor. Tart red berries, cayenne, and honey. Sweetness is just a component, not a driving force like some bourbons. A hint of medicine/licorice, and very noticeable barrel notes throughout. Some oak tannins, but the char is more prominent and persistent. A predictably long finish that leaves the lips and roof of the mouth tingling. Revisiting after a just a couple drops of water from a cocktail straw, the bite of the spice is tamed, and sweetness takes over. Easier to hold on the tongue and enjoy. Wish I had a bigger pour to keep proofing it down and explore it further.

A most interesting and complex whisky. Can’t say I love it, but I’m happy to keep trying to figure it out. A rare scotch that also allows proof to provide a new level of complexity to the spirit, and concentration of flavors. Uncut it certainly does seem concentrated and bold. Heavy smoke and salty-sweet. Intense and bold flavors from the batch proof. The nose is spent fireworks. Some sulfur mixed with sea, so a more “clean” smell. Perhaps lava sliding into the ocean. There is a deep smoky char, but palatable. Liquid smoke. Has a strong drying component in the mouth.

Smoke is present on the nose, but a balanced application. Sweet smoke. Some vanilla toffee bourbon notes as well. On the palate I find definite medicinal flavors, and a rich and pleasant shrimp sweetness with brine. Whereas Laphroaig is boldly sweet under the peat, this is a bit more elegant and subtle. Great balance and enjoyable.

The nose is chewy smoked ham. Day old fireplace. Absolutely zero ethanol, even sticking my nose in there for 30 seconds, no tingling. This is one savory whisky. On the palate is more salted ham, some charred orange rind. I found this to be incredible, unique, and most enjoyable. I will look for more and try to taste some other expressions.

Beautiful red amber color. Honey and apple on the nose. Gentle but sweet. Extremely creamy and viscous. Balanced. They did a great job finding the right approach to barrel selection and a small portion of bold sherry to get his one right. Very drinkable. Ultimately not a standout for uniqueness, but very well executed.

Very light color for 15 years and sherry casking. Seems to be more influence from the bourbon barrel, likely not first fill, or at least a dry/fino type sherry. Dry. Crisp. Lemon. A bit of black pepper. Cocoa notes - but not chocolate... no cream. A hint of vanilla extract - again, just the essence, does not deliver the richness of a finished baked good with the sweet and fat alongside it. Overall, not that impressed. Generally, the flavors just don’t seem to go together. Perhaps judged unfairly side by side with a much richer, sweeter scotch. This one may be better standalone given its light finesse.

Dark color, certainly thanks to the PX sherry. Very strong, sticky sweet sherry nose and palate. Hazelnuts. Raisin. A sweet, dark, bold supercharged sherry malt. Buttery with some hints of orange rind.

Verdict: A unique and incredible bourbon. Overwhelmingly sweet while also wholly defined by pervasive and astringent barrel char. Jekyll and Hyde. Underwhelming nose. Definitely a "must try" but won't be for everybody. A tad pricey. A dark, rich amber. Oily with slow legs. Spiced cherry, vanillin, unripened fruit, and a gentle but persistent wood char on the nose. Burnt sugar and cream with a subdued mint and some medicinal notes. Complex, but not quite alluring. The sweetness requires teasing out from behind the stronger, semi-acrid scents. Where the nose earns mixed reviews, the palate wows with sweetness. An immediate rush of toffee and sweetened black tea. Creme brulee. Blackened mashmallow. Caramel swirled with cinnamon. The rush of sweet fades slowly into very strong barrel notes, somewhat bitter with char and cinnamon candy spice. The drying astringency lasts forever on the finish, hardly fading before the next taste.