Tastes

Honey colored. Light bodied and silky smooth. Nose: dark fruit from the sherry casks, raisins and honey sweetness. Orange rind, molasses, and allspice also appear. Palate: honey and bright citrus fruit at first. Oranges, jam, some baking spices. Light vanilla cake. A touch of dark chocolate. Finish: the finish is fairly long and mellow. It starts with a pop of honey-lemon citrus then drifts off into the sunset: more fruit baskets, vanilla, honey, and all that pleasant sweetness.

Sipping this from a rocks glass in a bar so I don’t have a full grasp on the aroma but I’ll give it a whirl - Medium bodied with a somewhat milky mouthfeel. Nose: some gentle fruity jam, vanilla, and malt cereal. Palate: vanilla sweetness, some light nuttiness. Mellow fruits appear in the middle brightening the whisky. The finish is fairly quick and sweet. There’s a lingering note of vanilla and fruit. A delightful little Speyside.

Enjoying some JW Blade Runner Edition while watching Blade Runner 2049. Here’s some notes: Rich honey colored, medium bodied, with a velvety mouthfeel. Nose: soft and sweet - toasted marshmallow, vanilla, a pinch of sea salt. a hint of fruit, possibly raisins & dates. Some mild smoke is present as well. Palate: starts with some fruity sweetness and a touch of marshmallow. The middle grows more complex with layers of sweet tobacco smoke and some heat. The finish is long on this one- lingering sweetness from the beginning with billows of camp smoke adding complexity and richness. This whisky is tasty, complex, and rich. A thoroughly enjoyable blend - which I far prefer to it’s cousin the regular Johnnie Walker black label. The higher proof and slightly different blend makes for a more interesting whisky. My only complaint is that it’s a limited release.

Light colored—almost like vegetable oil. Medium bodied with an oily mouthfeel. Nose: smoked BBQ briquette with a hint of molasses sweetness. Salted pork. Sweet peat and seaweed. Powerful camp smoke and charcoals. Faint lemon at the end. Palate: honey and some citrus sweetness quickly overtaken by rich smoked brisket and bbq. Dense Smoke rises through the middle and the sweet peatiness and seaweed join in too. Sea salt also appears in droves. The finish is intense, smoky, and unrelenting. It just keeps going with billows of smoke and it leaves the taste of smoked brisket, sea salt, and a hint of charcoal on the palate. This isn’t for the faint of heart or the peat haters. That could be said of ANY Laphroaig, but this one especially. This is an intense Islay whisky expression and a must try for anyone who loves these peated whiskies!

It’s got a light color like olive oil, light bodied with a velvety mouthfeel. Nose: honey, orange peel, squeezed lemons, and vanilla sweets pulling it all together. Palate: vanilla and honey are quickly joined by oranges and lemons. Some almonds appear in the middle to fill it out. The finish is quick and refreshing with bright lemon, and some sweeter citrus notes too. It leaves a little bright citrus and some mild honey behind. Nothing earth shattering, but a solid whisky, especially for $40 USD.

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.