Tastes

Disclaimer: I like port and smoke. I love Springbank.. This is the most interesting scotch I personally own. It’s I believe? the only bottle I’ve given 5 stars to. This has all the classic SB character with much more sophistication. Dark fruit notes and some tropical influence though not as much to me as other rum cask whiskies and a touch of smoke that’s perfectly subdued. I love it. With so many enjoyable sub $100 bottles available, it’s hard to splurge sometimes and even worse when you regret it. I can say there’s been zero remorse with this. I wish I had the funds for more as who knows when they’ll do a port/rum batch again (each years release seems to be different) but some things aren’t meant to have forever I suppose. 2019 Edition - 45% Port/55% Rum casks (46% ABV)

There’s an awful lot of bourbon out there to try.. So it says something to me that I’ve bought this particular bottle a few times. It’s friggin good bourbon. Being primarily a scotch fan, I sometimes find it difficult to differentiate between some bourbons but this one has a very distinct caramel creaminess to the palate and finish. It’s not the longest finish in the world and I definitely prefer it neat but that’s really nitpicking as it’s just very good all around. I’ve recently picked up a new ECBP release but so far, this is my favorite bourbon, without question.

Really surprised by this one. I figured it’d be good but it went above and beyond good to me. Very sweet but not cloying, just vanilla, toasted malt, some red fruits and nice spice. Not insanely complex by any means but it’s not really necessary here. For the ticket price, seriously impressed. I can definitely see me keeping this on hand for sherry kicks.

This is amazing to me. If you pour and sip, I get apples/pears and vanilla primarily and really nothing special. However, the same drink becomes magical after a half hour in the glass. It changes more than anything else I’ve ever had and becomes almost entirely different. I get apple-buttery biscuits and vanilla with some oak and it’s truly one of my favorites. Do yourself a favor and let this open for 20 minutes.

I really like this, it’s rich and dark and just basically a perfect bourbon. The fact that there’s a 10 yr age statement and it’s $29 makes me nervous they’re gonna all be gone when I try to get another bottle tonight. Update 2 Months In: This was good from the first pour but it’s gotten substantially better with some oxidation. The second half of the bottle is very dark and rich. Somewhat unique in my collection in this regard. A great bourbon and even better value. Better than many that cost double or more.

This would not have been my initial score. It definitely benefits from some oxidation. Either that or the whisky has changed me (entirely possible). It’s just very different from the 16 but somehow the same. It’s an ass-kicker and it’s glorious. I love it. Sometimes I can convince myself it’s my GOAT. It reminds me of mixing a light, crisp, sweet Irish with the wonderful Lagavulin smoke. It’s totally unique, so I can see how someone wouldn’t like it, I wouldn’t be friends w that person I don’t think but I can understand it.

I didn’t give this a 5 because there has to be something more out there. Something ridiculously rare and extremely expensive and therefore “better”. I haven’t found it but I have to believe because if not, the search is over and who wants that? It’s all about the hunt! I don’t necessarily know what I’m hunting but I press forward... Endlessly. I haven’t had a Lagavulin that I didn’t really like, it’s my brand of smoke, the sherry finish adds more on this one than it subtracts (to me). If you like Lagavulin, you’ll (most likely) enjoy this. If you’ve never had Lagavulin, I’d suggest starting elsewhere in the line.

I’m typically a scotch guy so take this for what it is but w/ this one I get oak, oak and damn.. oak. A little bit of vanilla, leather, caramel and maybe a slight fruit or tobacco. That oak though is definitely center stage, much more so than I prefer. That being said, it drinks like tea, there’s basically no heat to it which surprised me. I’m still giving it 3.75 just based on smoothness and complexity but, I really hope time and air tames the oak a bit.

I really enjoy this, from nose to finish. It’s just excellent. I much prefer it to the Coffey Grain, though I’ve not spent as much time with that one. Nose: I get peaches, cream, maple glaze and maybe funnel cake or french toast? Palate: Fruit preserves, mainly peaches again or apricots, it sweet but in no way cloying to me. I get no smoke at all but all in all it’s beautifully clean and just very nice. I get a warm medium to long finish with this one, with lingering peach and powdered sugar. I hope I can always find this.

I love this stuff. One of my favorites and the price is right. I get light honey, bitter chocolate, a little citrus and to me, the perfect amount of earthy smoke. This is one that calls from my cabinet.