Tastes

Notes for Oban Distiller’s Edition - distilled 2003, bottled in 2017. Honey colored. Light bodied with a silky mouthfeel. Nose: dates and honey, a hint of sea salt like a sea breeze. Orange rind and pear accent the aroma. A wisp of smoke passes by at the end. Palate: rich sweetness from dates and honey at the front. Fruitiness brightens the whisky through the middle with citrus from oranges and pears. A mild smoke rises toward the end. The finish is short and sweet leaving a mouthwatering taste of dates and honey accented by bright citrus and maple syrup. Incredibly smooth and balanced. It’s subtle but also extremely rich and sweet while maintaining mild smoke and sea salt profiles behind the fruit basket of flavor on display. I’d give this 4.7/5 or 5/5 on here. I like it better than Oban 14 and Oban Little Bay, though I enjoy both of those quite a bit. This whisky is fuller and richer than 14 but not as “loud” as Little Bay, and there’s a lot of depth to the character of this whisky.

Dark honey colored. Lighter-medium bodied with a slightly oily mouthfeel. Nose: rich caramel and milk chocolate sweetness accented by orange peel. Brown sugar fills out the rest. Palate: Caramel and milk chocolate sweetness at the start. Brown sugar rises through the middle along with some mild oak. Finish is quick and warming leaving brown sugar and gentle oakiness on the palate. Very smooth and pleasant from start to finish. A simple, pleasant, sweet & smooth dram. Easy to sip, easy to enjoy. 3.9/5 or 4/5 on here - This is the best 1792 expression I’ve tried and I’ve had this, Full proof, Single Barrel, and the ubiquitous small batch.

Color: amber Light bodied with a milky mouthfeel. Nose: cherry sweetness accented by brown sugar. Mild scent of ripe apple. Hints of caramel and vanilla round out the aroma. Palate: apple and vanilla sweetness out of the gate. Mild Brown sugar and some oakiness in the middle. Finish is quick and warming with more oak and some baking spices present. Leaves behind some lingering cherry. Overall very smooth and pleasant. Surprisingly light. 3.3/5 or 3 stars on here. I would buy again, but it’ll probably take a back seat to my Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel.

Color is very light honey A light bodied whiskey with a watery mouthfeel. Nose: corn, caramel, and apple sweetness, some wood varnish. Palate: some corn & caramel sweetness at the start. Some spice in the middle. Oakiness in the back. Finish is quick, soft, and forgettable after a burst of apple sweetness. 2.3/5 stars or 2/5 on here. I’m not a fan, but it’s a good bourbon for beginners who aren’t used to whiskey.

New tasting notes for Stagg Jr. This time with a glencairn and I’ve got a 131.9 Proof version. Dark amber colored. Full bodied with a velvety mouthfeel. Nose: rich cherry, brown sugar, maple, and some milk chocolate. Hints of baking spices and orange zest also appear. There’s vanilla note which smooths everything together and rounds it all out. Zero ethanol despite the Barrel Proof. It smells like someone’s baking dessert in the winter! Palate: cherries, milk chocolate, and cinnamon at the front. Brown sugar and maple join in the middle as the whiskey heats up a touch. The finish is big, rich, and lingering. Left behind are notes of cherry, cinnamon, and subtle milk chocolate demanding another sip. It’s a big mouthful of whiskey with a load of complex and rich flavors. And it’s got to be the best bourbon I’ve ever tasted. I added a splash of water - the nose got sweeter and fruitier. Even more enticing! Palate was the same but even easier to notice the subtle characteristics of this exquisite whiskey. 9.7/10 or 5/5

Nose: butterscotch, caramel, and toffee. Palate: soft spices and caramel sweetness. Oak and spice heat up the middle. Finish is smooth and sweet. Super tasty. 4.3/5 or 5/5 on here.

Honey colored. Lighter bodied with a silky mouthfeel. Nose: vanilla, crisp apple, and some mild milk chocolate. Also present are some corn sweetness, hints of baking spices, and a slight touch of ethanol but it’s not harsh. Palate: Caramel and vanilla sweetness at the front. Some milk chocolate and soft spice join in the middle. The finish is warming with more spice, very mild oak, and a lingering apple sweetness. This whiskey will always have a special place in my heart since it’s the first bottle I ever bought myself. It’s been my value bourbon for a while, though I couldn’t find any until recently. All of that considered, I give it a 4.2/5 or 4/5 on here. You cannot go wrong with this whiskey at $24.99 a bottle!

Light amber colored. Medium bodied with a milky mouthfeel. Nose: vanilla, honey, mellow citrus, and sea salt. Some hints of raisins and molasses sweetness. Wonderfully well rounded and smooth. Palate: soft honey sweetness and some bright citrus appear at the front. The whisky heats up a bit in the middle with some spice, gentle smoke, and some oak before it crescendos into a smooth finish full of warmth, vanilla, and baking spices. There is a lingering spice and fruitiness at the end tingling the palate. It’s well rounded, smooth, and balanced. Nothing in particular hops out, it all fits together nicely.

Dark honey colored. Light bodied with an oily mouthfeel. Nose: crisp apple, cinnamon spice, mild oakiness, a hint of caramel sweetness as well as some leather. Palate: Caramel sweetness followed by apple. Whiskey heats up a bit in the middle and has a big oaky (and slightly hot) finish but leaves some lingering sweetness behind.

Dark amber colored. Full bodied with a creamy mouthfeel. Nose: ripe apple and caramel sweetness. Vanilla, cinnamon, and a hint of cocoa. Palate: smooth Caramel and apple sweetness at the front. Milk chocolate and vanilla join in the middle. Finish warms up with some cinnamon spice, leaving chocolate and fruity sweetness behind. 4.6/5 = 5 on here. A great whiskey from start to finish. Really rich, tasty, and smooth.