Tastes

It was gone, then back (but different), then gone (not actually but impossible to find) and now back. The reputation of this malt is almost too good to be true. At the time this reappeared I had a bottle of the 12 year and wondered “do I really need another sherried malt?” The answer I now know is yes. Yes I do. To explain why I poured this again and again, and then against the 12 and this is what I found: Gd12 - 2018 Golden color and nose of honey malt, clover, vanilla, fig jam, faint oak, cherry, leather shoe polish. The whiskey itself has a light feel on the tongue, mellow heat and a medium finish with grape jam. The palate showcases a medley of bright berries and dried fruits, caramel malt, hey, buttered popcorn, earthy chocolate and hints of fresh sawdust and very faint ethanol. Impression - young, balanced, bright and fruity Gd15 - 2021 Shade darker than golden in color with dense aromas of milk chocolate, raisin, maple syrup, pecans, oak char, and faint tobacco. Medium body and coating with a noticeable heat that warms the chest and medium-long finish. Palate - oh the flavors. The first punch is full of earthy tobacco and oak. Then floral notes, vanilla and wood char shine through... almost as though this is bourbon. The mid palate onward softly sets sail into the realm of figs, dark chocolate, raisin, sherry, and nougat. Impression - I need more of these... Damn. That is fantastic. If Glenfarclas 25 walks quietly and carries a big stick then this just stomps around with club while slamming sherry. This is so much richer and more concentrated than the younger, brighter 12. The earthy notes right up front are, in a bourbon drinkers mind, just outstanding. Funny thing is there is little to no hey, heather, caramel or honey to make me think “malt.” This could just as well be played off as a well finished rye whiskey. This stomps Macallan 12. Perhaps not as viscous as the Glenlivet cask strength Nadura but much more interesting. Not as spicy as Glenmorragie Malaga cask but again deeper and earthier. Based on my limited prior experiences I didn’t know a Sherry finished whisky could do this. The nutty oloroso, the rich raisin PX, the earth. The whole ordeal almost made me forget peated whisky even existed, if only for a dram or two.

Probably one of the last bottles I’ll crack for awhile. This was a gift from my brother in law 6 months ago and who comes home next week. It’s been purposefully neglected but for sake of appearances here we go. I believe this is young Larceny. Light yellow in color. Bananas, new wood, allspice, bubblegum, cashews. Somewhat classic but light. At 80 proof it just tastes watered down. Thin without much flavor but nothing offensive and no burn. Quick splash of vanilla, allspice, wood and then gone. Better than Basil Hayden for those who hate burn. That is not necessarily a complement.

Stamped 3 15 25 BB, if that’s relevant. Nothing impressive with the packaging and with a crack and first whiff - just sweet malt character. The color is a golden amber and appears viscous in the glass, more so than the 43%ABV would lead me to believe. There is a sweet, almost maple wood note that leads with cherries and baked goods (vanilla frosted cinnamon roll) in support. There’s a bit of cerasote as well but not smoke and certainly not peat. Bits of chocolate cake, raisin, cigar box, marzipan and an almswood like spice. Just fantastic the more I take it in and breathe it out. It just rolls out slowly, nothing about this is in a hurry. No sharp turns, no surprises. A burst of roasted, caramel iced malt cereal rolls into raisins and vanilla. The palate is oily and the viscosity takes a moment it make itself know. A bit of heat and baking spice show up late alongside stewed apples, more floral vanilla, a bourbon-esque dried oak note and a well seasoned resin pipe tobacco. It’s every bit as aged and sweet/earthy and satisfying as some of my favorite well aged bourbons if not more so . Simile heat, similar body and similar finish. The beginning is quite different. Whereas this starts bright with malted grain most bourbon tends to lead with oak thanks to the new American oak barrels. More than a few seconds in though... the dried fruit, subtle spice, earthy sweetness... wow. One bottle of Noah’s Mill from 2018 had similar features but younger and not as layered or complex. Honesty very close in finish to another age stated bourbon I will not name. Exceptional. This drinks like it’s 107 proof as well, not 83. While there is no bite there is a nice heat and tingle in the mouth during the long and lingering finish. Almost like I just downed maple-raisin oatmeal from a wooden bowl before it could cool. So, don’t buy this. I think that’s what I’m actually trying to say. Stick with bourbon. Thanks.

Light golden in color, medium sparse legs. Light peat, brine, grilled white fish, apricot, ash with a light honey and oak note in the background. Bright and dancing malt, fruit and peat all three with medium viscosity. There is more honey, allspice, and apricot than the nose would suggest. Then a tug of war between peat, smoke and earthy notes on a medium finish. The nose takes on a leathery and metallic set of aromas as time goes on. More brine comes across the plate and more powerfully sweet honey, pineapple and orange rind. Overall the complexity of this dram is quite enjoyable. Less ash than Lagavulin and no bandaids to make me think Laphroaig. More peat than Highland Park and no pronounced sherry as I would expect with Talisker. The punch of heat and prickle on the tongue remind me 100-110 proof. Maybe Springbank is my new favorite Scottish distillery... that said I might just be a sucker for the higher proof that I’m so accustomed to thanks to bourbon. I have no choice but to dip into cask strength HP, Glenfarclas 105 or the likes of Talisker 57N. Thanks to @ContemplativeFox fox for giving me an opportunity to explore several of these samples! I might need to rid myself of bourbon to make more room for scotch when this is all over 😬

I managed to make a rare getaway and met up with a friend at OBC (Old Kentucky Bourbon Kitchen). Spectacular place and worth a visit if you're ever in Lexington, KY. I fount it noteworthy that their top center shelf has two rows. The first is lined with BTAC and Pappy. The second shelf, more inconspicuous shelf was lined with the JTS Brown, Evan Williams, Heaven Hill 6y (Green Label)), JW Dant, etc... I enjoyed an epiphany at the bar. Ended the evening with an SAOS pour and this was our bartender's favorite SAOS. And what a fantastic evening it was. A water main broke on the road outside, essentially trapping us at the bar. Real shame. Clocking in at 120.8 proof this was a Lion's Share collection, 10 year single barrel (#3609). It poured a wonderful amber with a slight red hue and had a myriad of slow legs . Nose was filled with gobs of sawdust, scorching heat, leather, cinnamon hard candy and vanilla. With time there were some nutty and even floral elements to it. First sip was fire but a few drops of water revealed more of a velvety mouthfeel and funky leather, vanilla, toffee, blonde espresso and buttercream frosting. This was no Boone County 12-13y, Remus Reserve or other familiar MGP styles. I have no idea what the mash bill was but I'm guessing this grew up high in the rick house and saw some hot summers. The finish was long and full of oak, leather, bananas and almost a cream cheese frosting. Anyone who was a fan of the Prodigy would refer to this as some funky s***. The profile was very different from George T Stagg but the sheer violence of flavor was familiar. I limped away. As far as score I shaved 1/4 to 1/2 point off because these just don't exist anymore that I'm aware of and frankly that makes me grumpy.

Long time listener, first time caller. This was poured from a 1L bottle with the old label. It is golden in color with quick legs. At 100 proof this carries a bit of heat but also a bounty of sawdust, peanut shells, vanilla and warm apple pie. Nothing to like so far, and notably no off-putting aromas of ethanol or acetone that plague other bottom shelf offerings. The palate is actually of a medium viscosity and full of caramel with a bit of heat but no real bite. By mid-palate there is a nice balance brought about by cherries, oak and brown sugar. Everything about this is classic bourbon. Perhaps the best part is that unlike other $15 offerings (aside from WT101) this has an actual finish to it that carries along caramel notes for a minute or so before fading out. To be clear, this is not a full-proof, non-chill filtered, everlasting gobstopper of flavor. It will not wow anyone, that is, unless you realize you spent a measly $15 ticket to ride a wave of very classic and enjoyable bourbon notes every day. This vs. WT101... maybe the Turkey is a bit more complex and different but if classic is what you crave then this is it.