Tastes

Honey colored, light bodied, with an velvety mouthfeel. Nose: a light breeze of ripe oranges, dates, and honey. Vanilla spread throughout. Faint nuttiness and a wisp of mint/menthol right at the end. Simple, sweet, and welcoming like a Summer breeze on a sunny day. Palate: starts with vanilla and honey. Joined by toffee and fruit in the middle. The fruit gets brighter and sweeter with time. Finish is medium and full of sweet fruits. The flavors of toffee and dates sit on the tongue a while after. It may be a simple whisky, but it’s a delightfully simple whisky. The handful of flavors all combine perfectly and the lighter body makes it refreshing. I could see this as a great brunch scotch alongside toast and jam sitting outside on a sunny day. Quite lovely, I’m pleasantly surprised!

Dark honey colored, medium bodied. mouthfeel: like chocolate melting in your mouth. Nose: raisins, dates, honey, orange peel, a faint hint of smoke - like after the campfire has been out for a bit. After some time, some molasses, nutty sweetness, and faint sea salt caramel join the aroma. Everything blends together delightfully and smoothly. Really complex while maintaining a cohesive scent. Palate: oranges, molasses, and caramel at the front. The middle develops more sea salt and mild smokiness, along with some brighter citrus flavor. The finish is smooth, mild, and medium length. It’s tasty and complex, but not overwhelming. There’s a big burst of sweet fruit and then a lingering smoke mixed with some dates and honey. Really interesting. I think the Oban DE may still be my favorite Oban expression, but the 18 year is an excellent dram and I’m glad to have it on my shelf. I’ll have to revisit this one down the line, and next time I’ll taste the other Oban’s after the 18 and see how they all line up for me.

My first thought when I poured it was that it has a rose-wine tint. Though the primary color is orange/copper. Full bodied with a silky mouthfeel. Nose: plums, raisins, semi-sweet chocolate, and toasted nuts. A hint of honey. Palate: fruit cake and vanilla cream joined by figs, dates, and raisins. Some plums and strawberry notes also appear with time. Mild citrus acidity brightens up the middle. The large finish is fruity, indulgent, and warming and it leaves behind bright orange & grapefruit citrus notes along with honey, and more of the fruit / vanilla cake notes from the start. The aftermath tingles the senses with delectable fruity sweetness. What a whisky! The sherry bomb that is the Glendronach 12 is phenomenal, but this is on a different level. This is dessert in a glass.

Dark amber colored, medium bodied, silky mouthfeel. Nose: caramel, milk chocolate, red apples, some cinnamon spice. A touch of vanilla cream. Palate: apples and cinnamon at the front. The sweetness builds in the middle with caramel and brown sugar. More apples. The finish is smooth and warming, leaving traces of cinnamon spice, apple juice, and caramel behind with mild astringency. This is one smooth and tasty pour!

Honey colored, light bodied, with a creamy mouthfeel. Nose: honey and citrus sweetness. Mild caramel, cinnamon, and oak. Cherry sweetness. A touch of astringency, but not off putting. Palate: butterscotch, caramel, and citrus arrive first. Some cinnamon and oak join in the middle with a bit of honey. Finish is semi-dry, mild, and smooth leaving notes oats, honey, and oak behind. 3.6/5 or 4/5 on here. Tasty but not mind blowing.

Dark amber colored, full bodied, velvety mouthfeel. Nose: caramel and toffee sweetness, dark fruits, molasses, cloves and cinnamon spice. After some time, I can also find some tart apple brightening up the dark and sweet aroma. Palate: Caramel, brown sugar, some cherries. The middle heats up with some hints of oak, cinnamon, brighter fruits, and more brown sugar. Some tart apple also brightens the flavor throughout. The finish is big and bold with cinnamon, molasses, caramel and some fruitiness. It leaves behind hints of cinnamon, brown sugar, and a little caramel. Indulgent and amazing.

Amber colored, medium bodied, silky mouthfeel. Nose: rich dark fruits, creamy milk chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon, hints of maple toward the end. Sweet, inviting, and well rounded. Palate: vanilla and dark fruits lead the way, joined by chocolate and cinnamon spices. The middle heats up a bit and also develops a brighter fruity flavor. A big flourish of cherries and chocolate, with cinnamon and oak preceded the finale. The finish is medium length and warming, leaving lingering notes of cherries and chocolate. Phenomenal whiskey, even more so if you can find it at retail price!

Amber colored, medium bodied, with a creamy mouthfeel. Nose: raisins, plums, honey, orange rind, marmalade jam. Milk chocolate and some cloves and cinnamon. It’s like a fruity jam. Palate: plums, raisins, and honey along with soft oak. Brighter citrus notes of orange build in the middle along with chocolate, sherry, and cinnamon spice. The finish is a flourish of fruit and spices with notes of espresso & cocoa warming the palate. Left behind are notes of cinnamon and marmalade jam accented by orange citrus. This is delicious and a fantastic sipping whisky for the price. Really great dram!

BATCH 009 - Bottled Feb2017 116.2 Proof Dark honey colored, medium bodied, creamy mouthfeel. Nose: smoked brisket, sea salt, sweet barbecue, seaweed, brine, campfire smoke, peat, and some medicinal notes Palate: seaweed, brine, and peat smoke out of the gate. The whisky heats up in the middle with campfire smoke, meatiness, sweetness, and salt joining in. The finish is very long. It starts with a big flourish of warming camp smoke and bbq brisket. As the heat slowly simmers down, sweet barbecue brisket, salt, and residual peat smoke linger on the palate. Unmistakably Laphroaig and absolutely unforgettable. If you’re into peat smoke, you have to try this! If you aren’t, it’s unlikely to win you over.

Honey colored, light bodied, oily mouthfeel. Nose: campfire coals, seaweed, brine, some meat and sweet barbecue. Palate: peat, seaweed, brine, sea salted pork, and some malty sweetness. Finish is somewhat sweet, with the peat smoke dominating - very long and warming. The quintessential Islay single malt.4/5.