Tastes
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Talisker 10 Year
Single Malt — Islands, Scotland
Reviewed January 24, 2019 (edited February 20, 2019)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.80.0 USD per Bottle -
Springbank 15 Year
Single Malt — Campbeltown, Scotland
Reviewed January 24, 2019 (edited April 14, 2022)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.120.0 USD per Bottle -
Glenmorangie 18 Year
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed January 24, 2019 (edited December 31, 2021)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.140.0 USD per Bottle -
Macallan Fine Oak 15 Year
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed January 24, 2019 (edited March 31, 2019)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.120.0 USD per Bottle -
Auchentoshan Three Wood
Single Malt — Lowlands, Scotland
Reviewed January 24, 2019 (edited March 11, 2019)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.70.0 USD per Bottle -
Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed January 15, 2019 (edited August 29, 2020)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.55.0 USD per Bottle -
Glenlivet 15 Year French Oak Reserve
Single Malt — Speyside, Scotland
Reviewed January 12, 2019 (edited February 3, 2019)A hint of smoke mingling with the pear and honey on the nose. A palate of pear, green apple and orange rind. Lots of floral notes. Hibiscus, jasmine, and honeysuckle. A soft, grassy finish. Gentle. -
Verdict: Third taste of this bottle to settle the score. Odd, and ultimately not for me. Will look for cocktails to finish this one - maybe a Manhattan? Not terrible and a “quality” whiskey, but this flavor profile is not my favorite. Rich red color. Thin. Hints of cherry sweetness on the nose, but flat. Buttery. Earthy grains. Bittersweet. Mr. Pibb mixed with oatmeal. Aspartame. Spiced cherry tempered by a flat, dusty hay bale. A touch of mint and allspice. Lingering minty spice in the cheeks on the finish.40.0 USD per Bottle
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Verdict: Utterly perplexing and yet undeniably appealing. I’m a fan and I couldn’t tell you why. I anticipate others not to be until proven otherwise. Generally thin with quick legs. A pale yellow hue gives the impression of a light, floral Highlands dram instead of the actual adventure awaiting. Strong, briny peat on the nose. Meaty. Graphite. Funky canned asparagus. Honey. Almost no ethanol. Could smell it for hours without really figuring out the notes my mind is racing to classify. Pleasantly jarring on the palate. Iodine and sweet. Chewy, honey-glazed smoked ham. Burnt sugar. Turkish cake soaked in sugar syrup. Licorice. Hints of charred oak. I feel like I’m grasping at a spinning Rolodex of flavors. Surprisingly, I’m unafraid of going back for another sip - rather, I’m antsy to do so. Confounding. Long but gentle warmth in the top of the throat on the finish. Bread. Iodine. Smoke.38.0 USD per Bottle
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Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch Bottled in Bond Bourbon
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed December 30, 2018 (edited February 3, 2019)Verdict: A very strange juxtaposition of light, elegant sweetness finishing with persistent spiciness. Ultimately just not for me. Pretty reddish caramel color. Thin, lots of closely spaced legs. Creamy, spiced pear on the nose. Gentle. Demerara sugar. Soft, light, and sweet on the first taste, immediately followed by a strong flash of Big Red cinnamon spice and a hint of anise throughout the back of the mouth. Spice does not fade with subsequent tastes. Finished long with cinnamon and cedar on the tongue and spicy warm burn in the throat.40.0 USD per Bottle
Results 171-180 of 305 Reviews