Tastes

2019 Batch. Comparing with my previous 2018 review. Still getting chocolate and cherries but a bit lighter and sweeter, with something like pear peaking through on the nose. Taste is lighter and sweeter as well. Still amazing, the differences I’m noticing may mostly be due to the recent higher proofs I’ve been trying. Still my favorite, few bottles can compete in my personal opinion. It may seem $$$$ but I’ve tried a $6000 bottle that I’d rate lower than this. Do yourself a favor and pick up a bottle.

Excellent mix of peat smoke, orange peel, earthy grass, and others coming through on the nose. Hits fully on the tongue with a nice long finish. Definitely my favorite Ardbeg and quite possibly my favorite Islay. Writing this as I enjoy the final pour of the bottle; I’ll have to pick it up again.

“Maybe a drink will help—put some alcohol in your mouth to block the words from coming out.” - Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman) Nice bottle, nose reminds me of Distillers Edition but with more chocolate, toffee and peat. More bitter than the 16Y but not necessarily a bad thing, just different.

I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about an unpeated Islay but I was curious. A friend gifted it to me as thanks for a favor and it was an instant favorite. I’ll have to keep this one around.

Coming in at such a low price (40USD discounted to 35) compared to other Japanese offerings in North Carolina, I didn’t expect a whole lot from this bottle. I was pleasantly surprised by the nose but the taste was more on par with expectations. It may open up more on later tastings though. Nose: Sweet light fruits, very floral. Extremely welcoming. Reminded me of the Irish Bushmills 10Y Single Malt. Taste: not a lot going on but on a hot Summer day that’s not exactly a bad thing. Dry on the tongue as apposed to oily. Sweet apple comes to mind, and fresh Asian pears. In some ways it reminds me of a sweet white wine, I may use it as an introduction to whisky for my wine loving friends. Goes down fairly easy but lets you know it’s there on the end.

The expression “meh” comes to mind. Comparing this to other Scotch in my area priced within $10 either way, this is one of the least interesting I’ve tried. In fact I’ve enjoyed bottles nearly $20 cheaper more than this. It’s not bad, just meh. They market well and the bottle looks nice but I enjoyed Glenfiddich 12 &14, Glenmorangie 10, and Ardbeg 10 more than this and they’re all at least $10 less.

2020 bottling lgv. 4/509 Nose: dominated by grape but there’s more there I haven’t placed, with only subtle peat smoke. Taste: Easy drinking, sweet with a medium length finish that ends with the peat. Absolutely beautiful expression but if you’re looking for a peaty Scotch like Lagavulin 16 you might be disappointed. The peat is definitely toned down (think Highland Park 18 levels of peat). One of the few bottles over $100 that I’d rebuy without hesitation if I find it again.

Definitely good but I’ve had similarly good bourbons that are much easier to come by and cost about the same retail. Certainly worth a try and worth retail of about $36 if you happen to find it but I certainly wouldn’t waste time hunting it or waste money paying secondary market prices. For the proof/% it is a very gentle, “smooth,” easy drinking bourbon. It’s growing on me and I’d say as long as I see it for under $40 I’ll grab one.

2018 batch. Received as a gift but will likely buy again when I finish it. Cherries and light peat on the nose remind me of a nice indoor fireplace with scented candles nearby. I also occasionally smell something that reminds me of the grape flavored freeze tubes. The kind that came in multiple flavors in plastic sleeves of liquid that you would put in the freezer before opening to eat as a kid. Honey, chocolate, and cherries in the palate along with a familiar but not at all overwhelming peat smoke.

All I can say is try this whiskey and then read the experts notes and try it again. The power of suggestion is huge. On my first try I was recalling a bad memory of Jack Daniels no.7 where all I could taste was peanuts. Because of this I got hints of peanuts on my first taste of GJ. However after reading the expert review all I can smell and taste is banana pudding and vanilla wafers and it’s so surprising but so nice.