Tastes
-
Nose: Berries, almond honey-nut cluster muesli, sweet malt, orange liqueur, peach brandy, Turkish delight, the barest hint of sawdusty oak and a zephyr of fortified wine in the background. Palate: Very soft, sweet arrival – a bowl of ripe red berries smothered in raspberry coulis, mascarpone, vanilla custard and honey. A little ginger in sweet syrup in the development together with sweet cinnamon, milk chocolate and unroasted cashew nuts. The texture is almost syrupy. Finish: Medium. Apricots, sultanas and a little mild spice on a sweet caramel base. A soft and easily approachable whisky that will please any palate but for me it lacks character and I don’t think it is good value. It’s very pleasant, for sure, but also limited in range and no better than many whiskies at a third the price. If I were to sum this one up in one word it would be "meh". I don’t mind a straightforward sweet profile focused on fruit, even if it lacks complexity, but to me this was more akin to an easy-drinking 12 year old than a 21 year old. However, I can see why some palates would be very receptive to this subtle dram and rate it more highly. Maybe I'm just jaded and my palate is too old and battered to appreciate the nuances in this sort of whisky. Tasted from a 15ml sample “Good” : 84/100 (3.75 stars)399.0 AUD per Bottle
-
Tomintoul 17 Year 2001/2018 Single Cask
Single Malt — Speyside, Scotland
Reviewed November 8, 2022 (edited November 10, 2022)Nose: Initially sandalwood, honeysuckle, frangipani, and malt extract. Later, as it settles and opens, rich Christmas cake and plum pudding aromas come forward together with tobacco, leather and a very subtle, fleeting note of smoke. Later still, deep earthy lemon and orange fragrances appear. This nose is a 5-star delight that showcases masterful 100% PX cask maturation. Palate: Warming arrival with soft tannin and honeyed malt. The development sees a little crisp oak spice emerge but it is just enough to provide foundation and balance to the otherwise soft and fruity profile. Roasted nuts, caramel toffee. The texture is oily, woody and chewy but with a soft, sweet quality. The balance is excellent and adding a dash of water makes the mouthfeel creamy and luscious. Finish: Long. Raisins, apricots and an extended oaken honey note in the aftertaste – sweet and full but dry. Tomintoul has the slogan "the gentle dram" and in most of their core-range this gentle quality is almost problematic due to their tendency to bottle at 40%. I'm not of the opinion that all whisky must be bottled at high proof just "because", but in the case of Tomintoul there is an argument to be made in support of this, as their expressions can often seem too laid back for their own good. However there is absolutely none of that here (and I've also never had any complaints regarding weakness of profile regarding other cask-strength Tomintouls I've tasted). It is a full-bodied, characterful whisky that shows the distillery style in its very best form. This is spirity and sharp when first poured, and it needs 5 minutes for the immediate alcohol to dissipate before the rich and plummy heart of this whisky is revealed, and it just keeps gaining complexity and depth the longer you let it breathe. Water does not harm the nose in any way but instead brings out honey-cured ham and just a touch of “green” notes – menthol, eucalyptus - but very mild. The palate also responds well to dilution with the malty tannins morphing into a more ginger-nut biscuit character. The warming quality on the arrival turns just a shade hotter with some Szechuan pepper emerging but the foundational honeys and caramel-nougat notes never fade away. The palate is very good either neat or diluted, and it can stand being watered down to the low 40s. After it has recomposed following dilution the PX sherry wood is much more noticeable as a specific flavour and aroma component. This was casked into a PX sherry butt in April 2001 and then left to slumber unmolested for 17 years before being bottled in September 2018. That's the way to make whisky. This is almost certainly only available via the secondaries now and if I could find one I'd buy it. Tasted from a 30ml sampler. “Excellent” : 88/100 (4.5 stars)250.0 AUD per Bottle -
Glen Scotia Campbeltown Harbour
Single Malt — Campbeltown , Scotland
Reviewed November 7, 2022 (edited November 9, 2022)Nose: Bright cereal, green apple, white grape juice, honeydew melon, a little citrus and a briny maritime character. After the first sip you notice smoky notes that were previously hiding. Water broadens and unites the nose very pleasantly but the cereal and maritime aromas dominate. Over time, vanilla is noticed. There is an elusive facet to the nose that is very familiar but I can’t quite place it. Palate: Slightly grippy, maritime arrival with green fruit and lemon peel but followed very quickly by a breath of peat smoke. This enlarges in the development as savory/sweet malty flavours come forward. Dark ale, pumpernickel, oatmeal and a little bit of liquorice. The texture is good but it is improved by a dash of water, which adds depth. This does, however, also highlight the brine. Finish: Medium. Mainly salty cereal-malt flavours with a little smoky barley sugar. The palate has a briny presence right from the arrival. On the first sip it seems to border on astringency, but subsequent tastes identify this firmness of palate as salt. Immediately after adding water the arrival is softened but peppery spice then develops in the later palate and this highlights the saltiness even more. Personally I preferred this one neat, as dilution can make it seem bitter and sour. However, that said, over time you become accustomed to it and sweetness comes through. When the bottle was first opened I was not that impressed but over time I’ve come to like this whisky. It’s not an easy-sipping crowd pleaser and may be a little too maritime for some palates, but it has a fresh, youthful verve and there is something about it that is vaguely reminiscent of Old Pulteney 12 year old from about a decade ago (but not the current expressions). I was initially going to rate this at 81 but after trying it several times I’m increasing the rating to 83. I found it on special and I think I’ll go back for a couple more bottles. “Good” : 83/100 (3.5 stars)65.0 AUD per Bottle -
Highland Park 25 Year (Spring 2019)
Single Malt — Islands, Scotland
Reviewed November 2, 2022 (edited January 26, 2023)Nose: Honey that has been stored in an oak barrel, very light traces of vanilla, mild floral fragrances, enveloping dusky orange, apricot preserve, orange marmalade. Leather armchair, old oak sideboard and a hint of cigar smoke. As it rests it gains complexity and the delicate smoke note becomes a little more assertive. Palate: Perfect arrival – slightly sweet, and gaining sweetness and depth as it unfolds. Stewed and fresh fruit, particularly blood orange and currants, but the sweetness is simmering and slow-burn, not bright and immediate. Chocolate and toffee in the development along with liquorice and prunes with just the lightest touch possible of peat smoke. There is a presence of spices and spicy herbs (mustard, cress, rocket and clove) and the texture is good, somewhat chewy, and with water it gains creaminess. Finish: Medium/long. The palate fades gently into a lightly maritime aftertaste with echoes of the mustard spice note and cigar smoke. A wonderful nose that is relaxed, urbane and rewarding. It has that dusky, dusty oxidised lignan quality that old whiskies typically show. The smoke is very reserved here, lacking any phenolic or guaiacol notes whatsoever, but the subtle cigar quality is pervasive. For some time after finishing the dram you have a definite mouth taste as of just having smoked one. The palate has complexity, but not to the degree you might wish for. In some ways it is a limited profile but what is there is very good indeed. The finish is good. Adding just a small dash of water mellows and broadens the entire experience. The dried orange and spice notes both gain softness and the texture becomes more silken. The finish gains a little heft, and there is the most interesting sensation when breathing out of genuinely feeling like you are smoking. A lovely whisky, but if you have the good fortune to try this do not rush the experience. Give it at least 15 minutes in the glass to wake up, and if adding a drop of water (which you should) give it another 15 to recompose itself. Those are bare minimums - ideally sit, nose and ponder this for an hour before taking the first sip. There is nothing to be gained by haste and everything from patience. Great stuff, but overpriced in my opinion. This is not light years ahead of the 18 year old, in fact it’s more like a sideways step than an advance, so I’m giving it the same rating. Tasted from a 30ml sample generously provided by @DrRHCMadden “Excellent” : 89/100 (4.75 stars)999.0 AUD per Bottle -
Parrot Bay Passionfruit
Fruit Liqueurs — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed October 31, 2022 (edited March 26, 2023)Nose: A sweet, vaguely fruit-like smell that could be almost anything but by the power of suggestion faintly resembles passionfruit. Palate: Extremely sweet, both from the amount of sugar in this liqueur and the sweetness of the fruit flavouring itself. Chemicals – this actively tastes like something concocted in a lab more than it does any sort of fruit. Finish: Not short enough. The lingering saccharine sweetness of the flavouring compound sullies the taste buds. It appears that there are many Parrot Bay bottlings available in different parts of the globe. This review relates specifically to a passionfruit flavoured “malt beverage” that is sold in Australia (and perhaps other areas). This is not Parrot Bay flavoured rum. It is something like a cross between flavoured vodka and flavoured moonshine. It is very sweet, low proof and is properly classified as a liqueur, not a spirit. It is by far the least enjoyable of the four Parrot Bay … substances … I have just endured. For more details about this range of Parrot Bay liqueurs that is exploiting the reputation (?) of Parrot Bay rum, see my review of Parrot Bay Coconut. “Wretched” : 50/100 (0.25 stars)6.99 AUD per Shot -
Nose: Rotting fruit, lavender dishwashing liquid (?!?) Palate: An unidentified chemical compound (or several) that tastes like artificially sweetened and flavoured tropical fruit juice or overdiluted, old, fruit cordial. It tastes astonishingly unlike mango. Finish: Cruelly medium. How I wish it was short. The thin but cloying awfulness stays on the tongue for much too long. It appears that there are many Parrot Bay bottlings available in different parts of the globe. This review relates specifically to a mango flavoured “malt beverage” that is sold in Australia (and perhaps other areas). This is not Parrot Bay flavoured rum. It is something like a cross between flavoured vodka and flavoured moonshine. It is very sweet, low proof and is properly classified as a liqueur, not a spirit. It is not enjoyable. For more details about this range of Parrot Bay liqueurs that is exploiting the reputation (?) of Parrot Bay rum, see my review of Parrot Bay Coconut. “Bad” : 55/100 (0.5 stars)6.99 USD per Shot
-
Parrot Bay Pineapple
Fruit Liqueurs — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed October 31, 2022 (edited March 26, 2023)Nose: Artificial pineapple, tangerine or generic tropical fruit essence. The smell of pineapple flavoured sweets or tropical scented body wash. Palate: Simple syrup, some chemical that tastes remotely like pineapple. Citrus flavoured cough lozenges. Finish: Blindingly short. Sugar and artificial flavouring. It appears that there are many Parrot Bay bottlings available in different parts of the globe. This review relates specifically to a pineapple flavoured “malt beverage” that is sold in Australia (and perhaps other areas). This is not Parrot Bay flavoured rum. It is something like a cross between flavoured vodka and flavoured moonshine. It is very sweet, low proof and is properly classified as a liqueur, not a spirit. It is not enjoyable. For more details about this range of Parrot Bay liqueurs that is exploiting the reputation (?) of Parrot Bay rum, see my review of Parrot Bay Coconut. “Poor” : 60/100 (1 star)6.99 AUD per Shot -
Nose: Artificial coconut essence. Palate: Simple syrup, artificial coconut essence. Finish: Blindingly short. Artificial coconut essence. You may have come across Parrot Bay flavoured rum previously – this is NOT that stuff, which Is why I’m posting this review, and the next three, under a new listing on Distiller. Parrot Bay flavoured rums, of which the coconut flavour is the best known, were a sub-brand of Captain Morgan rum. I believe the company was acquired by Sazarac some time ago (and Diageo somehow figures in the ownership as well). Since then Parrot Bay is no longer the same product, in more ways than one. You can still find Captain Morgan Parrot Bay flavoured rum at the original strength (45%abv for the coconut, 21% for the variety of other fruit flavours), however the labels now say “Caribbean Rum” instead of “Puerto Rican Rum”. More annoying and devious, however, is the range of miniatures and small bottles sold by the company. THESE ARE NOT RUM! They are white spirit based on malt distillate and are sold at a uniform strength of 16% abv. The labels clearly state that they contain a product of the USA that is a “Malt beverage with natural flavours” (see the linked photo). Note that "natural flavours" can legally mean artificial flavouring depending on how the flavouring chemicals are produced. The labels also do not have "Captain Morgan" stated anywhere. Parrot Bay was never more than a quotidian supermarket brand of white rum but the flavours now are inferior to even the original range and these “beverages” contain a LOT of added sugar. These are just bottom-shelf liqueurs and not flavoured rum, so buyer beware. Mrs Cascode and I fell for the marketing and bought 4 of these miniatures today (coconut, pineapple, mango and passionfruit) hoping to use them in tiki drinks now the weather is getting warmer over here. Sadly, they are all very poor and after a quick taste for reviews we will not be touching them again. Unless you see the name “Captain Morgan” on the label above Parrot Bay – DO NOT BUY IT! and even if you do see it ... think again. “Poor” : 63/100 (1.25 stars)5.99 AUD per Bottle
-
Ole Smoky Apple Pie Moonshine
Flavored Whiskey — Tennessee, USA
Reviewed October 29, 2022 (edited January 20, 2024)Nose: Stewed apples, cinnamon, cereal. There is a fermentation note that is at odds with the fresh fruit aroma. Palate: Initially sweet, fruity and heavy on the apple syrup, then a pleasant spicy note of both sweet and hot cinnamon comes forward. The texture is sweet and full. Finish: Short. Apple and cinnamon. After the pretty ordinary “White Lightnin’” moonshine from Ole Smoky I just tasted I had low expectations for this, but I was pleasantly surprised. You get exactly what it says on the label – apple moonshine. Lots of apple aromas and tastes, lots and LOTS of cinnamon, and a little cereal in the background. It's sweet and pretty tasty. The only oddity was on the nose where I found an unusual aroma as of an apple pie that had been left too long in a hot room and started to go off. However on the whole I thought this was surprisingly agreeable, and way better than many other flavoured spirits I’ve tried. It is hard to know how to classify it. You could call it flavoured unaged spirit (or moonshine, more simply) but given the low proof and the obviously very high sugar content I’d actually call it a liqueur. Tasted from a 50ml official sampler. In a moment of madness I may even buy some of this someday, or try other flavoured Ole Smoky variants. “Above Average” : 80/100 (3 stars)57.0 AUD per Bottle -
Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine Original
White — Tennessee, USA
Reviewed October 29, 2022 (edited January 20, 2024)Nose: An instant hit of ethanol, faint vanilla, a twist of lemon peel … and not much else. Palate: Ethanol with overtones of popcorn, acetic acid and acetone. The texture is slightly oily and not that bad. Finish: Short. Surprisingly citric. The nose was unexpected. I thought this would just have the bland aromas of vodka with maybe some corn on the sides, but it was a bit more interesting than that. It does have the sweet vanilla presence that is characteristic of vodka but there is also a mild citrus hint. The palate follows on in the same manner and the finish just trails out into a peppery citric flavour. Not as bad as I thought it might be, but nothing to praise either. I thought it was adequate but overpriced and I'd never consider buying a full bottle. The only valid comparisons for this moonshine are against another moonshine or vodka. I have not tasted any other corn moonshine so I can’t form an opinion there, but in comparison to vodka it reminded me of the Citron Absolut vodka I tasted here a while back, but on the whole I thought the vodka was better. Not horrific, and come the apocalypse when I’m reduced to drinking moonshine distilled from rotten fruit in my own jury-rigged still I’ll probably look back at this with longing … but not before. Tasted from a 50ml official sample. A full bottle of this costs AUD$86 and I'll be chuckling at the absurdity of that for days to come. “Adequate” : 72/100 (2 stars)86.0 AUD per Bottle
Results 271-280 of 1217 Reviews